Portrait of a Genoese widow (Geronima Spinola ?)
artist:
Dyck (Antoon Van)
school:
Flemish school 17th century
layer & technique:
oil on canvas
dimensions:
104,4 x 76,5 cm
date:
1621-1622 ?
description:
During cleaning, the nineteenth century overpaint over the whole background and clothing was removed.
Now the head and clothing are clearly surrounded by a penumbra which suggests that it was painted "ad
vivum".
Underneath was a well preserved painting layer showing a pillar behind the widow and a softer
background which makes the figure standing out of the background. Also a glove still in perfect
condition,that the lady held in her hand appeared.
literature:
VAN DYCK:A complete catalogue of the paintings. page 228 n° II.102 + illustration black and white
Susan J.Barnes
Nora De Poorter
Oliver Millar
Horst vey
Yale university 2004