Artwork
Malle Babbe
Malle Babbe is an oil painting. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
A defining element of the composition is the inclusion of an owl, which appears alongside the female figure.
The work depicts a woman, identified as the subject Malle Babbe, rendered in the genre of portraiture. A defining element of the composition is the inclusion of an owl, which appears alongside the female figure. While the painting is executed in oil on canvas and dates to approximately 1700, the provided records do not explicitly define the specific symbolic meaning of the owl or the broader representational intent of the image beyond its status as a portrait based on the Malle Babbe figure.
The piece is recognized as a work by a follower of Frans Hals, suggesting a connection to the tradition of character studies associated with that artist, though the specific iconographic interpretation remains undescribed in the available documentation.
Technique & Style
Executed around 1700, this work is an oil painting on canvas attributed to the style of Frans Hals. The piece functions as a portrait depicting a woman accompanied by an owl. Physically, the support measures approximately 74.9 centimeters in height and 61 centimeters in width.
While specific details regarding the artist's brushwork, the current state of preservation, or the handling of the paint surface are not explicitly detailed in the available records, the medium and dimensions establish the object's formal characteristics as a standard-sized canvas portrait from the turn of the eighteenth century.
History & Provenance
Malle Babbe is an oil-on-canvas portrait dated to around 1700 and attributed to a follower of Frans Hals. It depicts a woman accompanied by an owl and measures 74.9 by 61 cm. The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Earlier in its ownership history, the painting was owned by the collector William T. Blodgett before entering the museum's holdings. No information is provided regarding the original commission, intermediate owners, accession number, or exhibition history.
Overview
This oil painting, titled "Malle Babbe," presents a woman with a broad, joyful expression. She is adorned with an elaborate white cap and a ruffled collar, her features illuminated against a somber backdrop. A subtle detail, a small owl, can be discerned in the shadows of the composition, adding an enigmatic element to the otherwise vibrant portrayal. The work captures a sense of immediate presence and character.
Artist & collection
