Portrait of a Young Girl
Artistattributed to
Willem Key
(Flemish, about 1515–1568)
Datemid 16th century
Mediumoil on oak panel
Dimensionspanel: 79.4 x 64.1 cm (31 1/4 x 25 1/4 in.)
framed: 180 × 89.5 × 5.7 cm (70 7/8 × 35 1/4 × 2 1/4 in.)
framed: 180 × 89.5 × 5.7 cm (70 7/8 × 35 1/4 × 2 1/4 in.)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1960.14
Label TextKey was born in Breda and studied under Lambert Lombard in Lorrain. He worked principally in Antwerp. He specialized in portraiture and was among the best portrait painters of his day in the Netherlands.
Neither the sitter nor the artist of this portrait has been positively identified, and the attribution to Key is not certain, but no suitable alternative has been suggested. The painting is in good condition, however, and even without proper identification it stands as a fine example of sixteenth-century Netherlandish portraiture. The careful attention to texture and detail is typical of Key's School, but its subtle handling here is the work of a master. The artist introduces a note of psychological investigation, making his young sitter seem slightly hesitant and insecure behind the formal facade of her velvets and lace.Provenancefrom William Hallsborourgh, Ltd., London, EnglandOn View
Not on view
