Lady with a Tulip

Location

Country: Netherlands
City: The Hague
Place: British Embassy

This painting is derived from Anthony van Dyck’s portrait of 'Jane Goodwin' (1639; State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg), daughter of the First Viscount Wenman of Thames Park and Twyford and wife of politician Arthur Goodwin (died 1643). Jane is depicted at the age of 36. She stands in a landscape similar to that of this work, holds a red tulip in her right hand and wears a brown dress with red sleeves. Another similar portrait, showing a young woman in the same pose, but wearing a white dress, was sold through Sotheby’s, London, in 1995. The Sotheby’s work was identified as a portrait of Penelope Wenman, Lady Carr, the niece of Jane Goodwin, and this work may depict another of her relatives.

Sir Anthony van Dyck was born in Antwerp. Early in his career he was an assistant to Peter Paul Rubens. He first visited England between November 1620 and February 1621, where his work impressed King James I. He then travelled to Italy, staying until the autumn of 1627, before returning to Antwerp. During his time in Italy, van Dyck developed as a portrait painter, painting mostly wealthy merchant-princes. His style evolved under the influence of works by Titian and Veronese. In 1632 he returned to England, where he became 'Principal Painter in Ordinary' to Charles I. The following year he was knighted. His portraits of the royal family enhanced their prestige at home and abroad and his work had a profound influence on British portraiture.

People

unknown woman

Places

Subjects

female portrait, landscape C17th, tulip, rose, stone/rock, woman, 17th century costume, dress

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

Sir Anthony van, (circle) Dyck

Title

Lady with a Tulip

Date

1639-1650

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 207.00 cm, width: 123.50 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Sotheby's, 22 February 1956

Provenance

Sold through Sotheby's, London, 'Old Master Drawings... also Old Master Paintings' sale, on 22 February 1956 (Lot 139), as 'Portrait of a lady in a blue dress...'; from which sale purchased by the Ministry of Works in February 1956

GAC number

3425