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Catherine Vaux, Lady Abergavenny

Paul van Somer I

1617

oil

canvas

From the collection of Fitzwilliam Museum

Baroque Portrait

Dominant colour

Catherine Vaux, Lady Abergavenny is a 1617 oil by Paul van Somer I, held at Fitzwilliam Museum.

Who painted this?: Paul van Somer I
When & what style?: 1617
Where can I see it?: Fitzwilliam Museum

About this work

This painting shows a woman with dark hair, dressed in a black dress with intricate gold embroidery. She wears a large, ruffled white collar and a necklace with a pendant. Her dark hair is styled in an updo. The woman's expression is neutral, and her gaze is directed slightly to the right. The background of the painting is dark, which helps to highlight the subject's features and clothing. The painting's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark, adds depth and dimension to the image. To learn more about this technique, look up chiaroscuro.

About the artist

Artist

Paul van Somer I

Paul van Somer (c. 1577 – 1621), also known as Paulus van Somer, was a Flemish artist who arrived in England from Antwerp during the reign of King James I of England and became one of the leading painters of the royal…

See the richer artist page