Who painted A Young Woman with a Book?

A Young Woman with a Book was painted by Pietro Rotari in 1756-01-01.

Where can I see A Young Woman with a Book?

A Young Woman with a Book is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is A Young Woman with a Book?

A Young Woman with a Book is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of A Young Woman with a Book?

Museum-quality prints of A Young Woman with a Book are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

A Young Woman with a Book

Pietro Rotari , 1756

A Young Woman with a Book is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Pietro Rotari. It dates from 1756 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition combines realistic likeness with symbolic attributes, books and jewelry, to convey both intellectual pursuits and social standing.

The work portrays a young woman clutching a book, adorned with an earring and necklace, and meeting the viewer’s gaze. These details suggest an emphasis on education and modest elegance, reflecting Enlightenment ideals of cultivated femininity.

Rotari’s 1756 oil portrait, executed on canvas, was created while the artist was active in Italy and later acquired by the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display. The composition combines realistic likeness with symbolic attributes, books and jewelry, to convey both intellectual pursuits and social standing.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1756, this portrait by Pietro Rotari is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 46 cm in height and 36 cm in width. Stylistically, the composition focuses on a female subject holding a book, adorned with a necklace and earring.

The figure is characterized by a direct gaze toward the viewer, a formal quality that engages the observer. The handling of the oil medium allows for the detailed rendering of textures, particularly in the jewelry and the book held by the sitter.

History & Provenance

A Young Woman with a Book is an oil‑on‑canvas portrait painted in 1756 by the Italian artist Pietro Rotari. The work shows a young woman holding a book, wearing an earring and necklace, and gazing directly at the viewer. It measures 46 by 36 as recorded in the catalogue.

The painting is classified as a portrait from the mid‑18th century and is part of the Rijksmuseum collection, where it is displayed in the museum’s galleries. No documentation of a specific commission or of earlier owners is provided in the sources consulted.

The work is held by the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, where it carries the inventory number SK-C-1345.

It has been exhibited at the Rijksmuseum in the context of its permanent display of 18th‑century Dutch and Flemish portraits, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings as of the mid‑20th century.

Overview

Pietro Rotari's A Young Woman with a Book (1756) is an oil painting exemplifying Rococo portraiture. This work, now housed at the Rijksmuseum, features a young woman engaged with the viewer. Rotari, an Italian Baroque artist, was known for his detailed and appealing depictions of female subjects, a specialty he cultivated while working for various European courts throughout his career.

Context

Pietro Rotari, originally from Verona, established a career painting for numerous European royal courts, including a significant period in Saint Petersburg. His artistic practice largely centered on creating portraits, particularly of women, for which he gained renown. A Young Woman with a Book fits within this extensive body of work, showcasing his consistent interest in depicting female subjects with elegance and precision.