A young woman seated at a virginal (A Lady Seated at a Virginal) 1672

Johannes Vermeer painted "A Young Woman Seated at a Virginal" in the Dutch Republic during the Golden Age, a period marked by unprecedented economic growth and cultural flourishing. Against this backdrop, the painting depicts a woman in a private moment with her instrument. Yet, the presence of the virginal itself speaks volumes about the sitter's social standing and gender. Musical accomplishment was a highly desirable attribute for women of the Dutch upper class, signaling refinement and suitability for marriage. The performance of domesticity and virtue are put on full display. The painting within the painting behind the sitter depicts a procuress, so while the lady is seemingly embodying the height of sophistication, the picture complicates her virtue. Vermeer masterfully captures the emotional interiority of his subject, while also offering us a glimpse into the intricate relationship between gender, class, and cultural ideals in 17th century Dutch society.