Anne Towner

Portrait of Lucia Wijbrants

<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Inspiration is the feeling of wonder that fills someone to the point that it must be let out in some creative form.</span></p>


Portrait of a woman. Dutch golden age. A lady about thirty-four years of age with her fair hair in curls, stands full length at her toilet table, almost facing the spectator. She has a book in one hand and holds up her skirt with the other. She wears a light blue satin dress embroidered with gold lace. On the table, which is covered with a Turkey carpet, are a mirror, a silver box, and a candlestick. A spaniel frisks at her feet.

We can now put a name to this face. For centuries, this painting was known simply as Portrait of a Woman. Recent research revealed her identity: Lucia Wijbrants, the wealthy widow of a Dutch cloth merchant. She stands at her dressing table, surrounded by her pricey possessions, while a frisky spaniel begs for attention. Lucia emerged from a variety of sources, including known portraits (of her and her husband) featuring similar likenesses and some of the same belongings pictured here. In fact, the bed behind her was previously owned by her husband’s first wife.

Anne Towner
Portrait of Lucia Wijbrants, Color pencil sketch

Inspired by:

Portrait of Lucia Wijbrants, 17th century — Artist: Gabriël Metsu — Oil on panel

What does inspiration mean to you?

Anne Towner Portrait of Lucia Wijbrants, Color pencil sketch

Inspired by:

Portrait of Lucia Wijbrants, 17th century — Artist: Gabriël Metsu — Oil on panel

What does inspiration mean to you?

Anne Towner
Portrait of Lucia Wijbrants, Color pencil sketch