Artwork
Kop van een vrouw, genaamd 'A fair beauty'
Kop van een vrouw, genaamd 'A fair beauty' is an oil painting by the Symbolist artist Matthijs Maris. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Matthijs Maris, a Dutch painter linked to the Hague School, completed the oil painting Kop van een vrouw, genaamd ‘A fair beauty’ in 1896. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and is classified within Symbolist art.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a solitary woman’s head and shoulders rendered in deep, muted tones. The figure emerges from an indistinct background, with minimal illumination on the face, creating an enigmatic, introspective mood rather than a detailed likeness.
Technique & Style
Maris employs a strong chiaroscuro effect, using darkness to define form and to emphasize atmosphere. The palette of dark browns and blacks, together with the soft blending of edges, signals his move away from the more naturalistic Hague School toward a personal, Symbolist approach influenced by Pre‑Raphaelite sensibilities.
History & Provenance
After its creation in the late nineteenth century, the painting entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in documenting the transition of Dutch artists from academic realism to Symbolist expression.
Context
The work belongs to a period when Maris, along with other Dutch artists, began exploring more subjective and poetic themes. This shift aligned with broader European trends that favored emotional resonance and allegorical content over strict representation.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Matthias Maris (17 August 1839 – 22 August 1917) was a Dutch painter, etcher and lithographer.
