Artwork
Portret van een vrouw met een parelcollier
Portret van een vrouw met een parelcollier is an ivory painting by the Biedermeier artist Leonardus Temminck. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
Executed in 1794 by Leonardus Temminck, this portrait is a miniature painting rendered on an ivory support.
Executed in 1794 by Leonardus Temminck, this portrait is a miniature painting rendered on an ivory support. The work measures 5.4 cm in height and 4.2 cm in width, reflecting the intimate scale characteristic of the genre. The choice of ivory as the primary material allowed for a luminous ground, typical of late eighteenth-century portraiture intended to capture fine details such as the pearl collar worn by the subject.
As a painted object, it demonstrates the artist's handling of opaque or translucent pigments applied directly to the smooth, organic surface to depict the female figure.
History & Provenance
The painting titled Portret van een vrouw met een parelcollier was created in 1794 by Leonardus Temminck. It is executed in ivory and classified as a portrait. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum collection and is currently housed in Amsterdam.
The piece entered the museum's holdings as part of its established collection, reflecting its recognized cultural and historical significance.
Context
The painting is recognized as an early example of Dutch portraiture on ivory, reflecting the late 18th-century fascination with miniature portraiture within the broader Dutch school. Its depiction of a woman wearing a pearl collar aligns with contemporary portrait conventions of the period, emphasizing elegance and refined status. The work is situated within the oeuvre of Leonardus Temminck, a notable Dutch painter whose contributions are documented in art historical scholarship as part of the transition from Rococo to Neoclassical influences in Dutch art.
The painting's presence in the Rijksmuseum collection underscores its significance as a representative piece of Dutch portraiture from the late 1700s, contributing to ongoing discussions about the evolution of portraiture in the Netherlands.
Overview
Leonardus Temminck’s 1798 miniature presents a young woman rendered on a polished ivory surface. The work measures only a few inches, yet the delicate handling of pigment conveys a clear, composed likeness. The figure is set against a muted brown backdrop that subtly reinforces the tones of her attire, creating a restrained yet refined visual impression.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is shown with dark, tightly curled hair, wearing a modest brown dress trimmed with a white lace collar. A pearl necklace, accented by a small pendant, rests at her throat, suggesting a degree of social standing. Her neutral expression and direct gaze invite a quiet engagement, emphasizing personal presence over narrative content.
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