Portrait of a Woman n.d.

Gabriel Metsu made this drawing, "Portrait of a Woman," with red chalk, likely in the Netherlands during the mid-17th century. Metsu was part of a generation of Dutch artists who refined their approach to genre painting. The vogue for genre scenes and portraiture was closely tied to the growth of a prosperous merchant class. They wanted images that reflected their own status and values. Red chalk was a popular choice for preparatory sketches and informal portraits because it allowed for a warm and immediate rendering of the subject's features. Consider the details of the woman's clothing and jewelry, and the soft, flattering light. These elements speak to the sitter's social standing and the artist's skill in capturing her likeness, for a specific, paying audience. By studying archival records, such as guild documents and estate inventories, we can better understand the social and economic factors that shaped Metsu's career and the market for his art. What did it mean to commission or own a portrait during this time?