Artwork

Standing Young Man at the Window in his Study Reading, known as"The Student"

Standing Young Man at the Window in his Study Reading, known as"The Student" is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Willem Drost. It dates from 1647 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

As a genre scene, the painting captures an intimate, everyday moment of scholarly contemplation rather than a historical or mythological narrative.

The work depicts a young man standing at a window within a study, engaged in the act of reading a book. As a genre scene, the painting captures an intimate, everyday moment of scholarly contemplation rather than a historical or mythological narrative. The composition focuses on the figure, the window, and the text, presenting a straightforward representation of a student absorbed in his studies.

This subject matter reflects the 17th-century interest in domestic life and intellectual pursuits, portraying the quiet discipline of learning.

Technique & Style

The Student is an oil painting on canvas created in 1647 by Dutch artist Willem Drost. The work measures 64 cm in height by 73 cm in width and depicts a young man standing at a window, engrossed in a book. Drost applies thick, layered brushwork characteristic of his Rembrandtesque handling, using chiaroscuro to model the figure and create strong contrast between interior light and shadow.

The composition emphasizes the sitter’s concentration, while a muted palette and subtle tonal transitions give the scene a quiet, contemplative mood. The painting belongs to the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

History & Provenance

Standing Young Man at the Window in his Study Reading, known as “The Student,” was executed in 1647 by the Dutch painter Willem Drost in oil on canvas. The work, measuring 64 by 73 cm, is catalogued as a genre painting. It is recorded as having been in the collection of Otto Pein before entering the holdings of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, where it is now displayed.

No specific commission is documented, and the dating is fixed at 1647 by the artist’s dated record. No accession number or prior exhibition history is given in the available sources.

Overview

Willem Drost's 1647 oil painting, "Standing Young Man at the Window in his Study Reading," depicts a solitary figure engrossed in a book within a dimly lit interior. Also known as "The Student," this work exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age artist's focus on intimate domestic scenes and human contemplation. Drost was active during a period known for its rich genre painting tradition.