Portret van een onbekende vrouw, zittend met een hond op schoot 1793

Bartolomé Vázquez created this portrait of an unknown woman sitting with a dog on her lap using etching techniques. The composition is dominated by the woman's figure, centrally placed and rigidly posed, creating a sense of formality and restraint. The use of light and shadow is particularly striking. Vázquez employs chiaroscuro to sculpt the figure, emphasizing the textures of her elaborate dress and the soft fur of the dog. The contrasts delineate form but also contribute to the overall mood of solemnity. Her gaze, directed slightly off-center, adds a layer of complexity. It challenges a fixed narrative, inviting a more nuanced interpretation of her character and status. Vázquez’s formal choices serve not only to depict the sitter but also to engage with broader questions of identity and representation. The play of light, the controlled composition, and the enigmatic expression collectively create a portrait that resonates with the artistic and philosophical concerns of the time.