Jacob Huysmans (c.1633-c.1696) was born in Antwerp and came to England after the Restoration. By 1664 he was Court Painter to Catherine of Braganza (Queen to Charles ll).
In this portrait, whilst cherubs acclaim the youth and beauty of the sitter, she rests her elbow on a skull - the classic Baroque 'Memento Mori'- and ignores her jewels. The message of the painting being that youth, beauty and wealth are all transient and one should never forget the spiritual aspects of life.
The pose of head on hand was long associated with piety, contemplation and learning as well as fashionable melancholia. It also draws on the iconography of Mary Magdalen, as the saint was often depicted in this pose as she pondered on her transition from the pleasures of the flesh to a spiritual life. (There was a fashion in the 1660's and 1670's for elegant Court ladies to be depicted as saints).
The sitter's hair has been let down from the formal ringlets then in vogue - this signifying relaxation and intimacy.
This is a fine quality painting containing fascinating iconography of the period.
Provenance: a Nottinghamshire Private Collection.
Size: 56 x 46 inches inc. frame.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art Profile Page
Sold...portrait of a Lady C.1665; by Jacob Huysmans and Studio
