Portrait of a Child with a Red Lined Straw Hat c. 1635 - 1640

Here, we see Pieter Soutman’s oil on panel painting, “Portrait of a Child with a Red Lined Straw Hat”. The child’s direct gaze meets ours within a tightly framed composition. The broad strokes of red throughout the hat and dress are grounded by the softness of the child’s face. The limited palette focuses our attention. The gold trim on the hat is picked up again in the necklace, leading the eye in a structured path around the painting, connecting the child with status and wealth. Soutman’s use of line and color here creates a symbolic representation of innocence and childhood. The soft brushwork contrasts with the geometric shapes of the clothing. The child’s gaze invites reflection on the cultural encoding of youth and innocence, where the artist has used formal elements to create a layered narrative that continues to invite interpretation.