Artwork
Pancake Woman
Pancake Woman is a chalk print by the Romanticist artist Cornelis Ploos van Amstel. It dates from 1768 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:upper left in image: G. Metsu
About this work
Overview
Cornelis Ploos van Amstel’s 1768 print titled Pancake Woman presents a domestic scene rendered in black ink on laid paper. The work depicts a seated female figure holding a frying pan, positioned within a modest interior that includes a table and assorted objects. The composition captures a brief, unembellished moment of everyday activity, emphasizing the quiet focus of the subject.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a woman dressed in a long gown and headscarf, seated on a chair and engaged in the act of cooking. By isolating this routine task, the print foregrounds the ordinary labor of household life, offering a glimpse into 18th‑century domestic responsibilities without overt narrative embellishment.
Technique & Style
Executed as a chalk‑manner print, the image relies on the contrast of black ink against the textured surface of laid paper. The artist employs fine line work and subtle shading to suggest form and depth, while the blurred background maintains a sense of intimacy and concentrates attention on the figure’s gesture.
History & Provenance
Created in 1768, Pancake Woman is attributed to Dutch artist Cornelis Ploos van Amstel, known for his prints and contributions to the Dutch Enlightenment’s visual culture. The work remains catalogued within collections of 18th‑century prints, reflecting the period’s interest in genre scenes that document everyday life.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Portrait of Cornelis Ploos van Amstel
Portrait of Elisabeth Troost (1730-1790)
Johannes Monnikhoff (1707-1787)
Portrait of Elisabeth Troost (1730-1790)
Scene from the Play 'Lubbert Lubbertse of de geadelde boer' by M. van Breda
Portrait of Cornelis Ploos van Amstel
Cavalier and Lady with a Page
Pancake Woman
