Young Woman with a Carnation 1656

Who was Willem Drost? Why do we know so little about this skilled painter? 🤔 Willem Drost (c.1633-1659) was a Dutch Golden Age painter who specialised in portraits and history paintings. Yet until recent years, very few of his paintings were actually attributed to him! This oil on canvas painting, 'Young Woman with a Carnation' (1656) was previously attributed to none other than Rembrandt (1606-1669). It was even displayed in the centre of the Rembrandt Room at the National Gallery of Denmark! And it's easy to see why art historians made this mistake. The painting is filled with hallmarks of the Dutch Old Master. 'Young Woman with a Carnation' makes use of Rembrandt's signature chiaroscuro (light/shadow) technique, whereby the woman's face is illuminated against the gloomy background. The level of psychological depth and nuanced emotion captured in the woman's expression also points towards Rembrandt's style. 🖌️ In actual fact, Drost was one of Rembrandt's most remarkable students. They worked closely in Rembrandt's studio, and it seemed inevitable that Drost would go on to have a spectacularly successful career. However, Drost died at the age of just 26 before achieving popular recognition. 😔 The false attribution of 'Young Woman with a Carnation' speaks to Drost's comparable skill. It was perhaps intended as an engagement portrait; the carnation flower gently held by the sitter is a 17th century symbol of devotion and promise. She wears a black dress with a simple square neckline, revealing a white lace collar. Her drop earrings sparkle slightly in the light. 💡