Portrait of a Lady

Ask anything

• Amira Ashry asked

  I want to know more about the dress and hairstyle of this painting
  https://www.boijmans.nl/en/collection/artworks/2126/portrait-of-a-lady

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Dear Amira, the lady is dressed in the latest fashion from Paris. For more in depth information, maybe these publications could be helpful: Adriaans, H. De kleding en accessoires op de vrouwenportretten van Kruseman, Jan Adam Kruseman, 2002; Adriaans, H. (2007) "De armbanden van 1826", Kostuum, Jaarboek van de Nederlandse vereniging voor kostuum, kant, mode en streekdracht, pp 21-36; Renting, A.D. (red.) Jan Adam Kruseman 1804-1862 (cat. tent. Paleis ‘t Loo, Apeldoorn 2002) Nijmegen, 2002

• Perian asked

  What's happening with the headpiece? Crazy hairstyles were popular in that period, as were large beribboned headpieces, but I've seen very similar styles in other works by Kruseman and a friend suggests it's an adaptation of a traditional Bavarian costume piece. Is this true, or is it just that many ladies of the period all adopted big pink and white ribbon headpieces?

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Dear Perian,
  
  What an interesting idea. Kruseman is admired by his peers because of his ability to convey colorful fabrics very realistically. The women he paints are part of the fortunate class that can follow the newest developments of Parisian fashion. As the society painter that Kruseman is, he painted their fashionable hair, hats and accessories in full detail. Thus it is likely that this is an adoption of a fashionable hairstyle, a perfect way for Kruseman to show what he can do.
  
  Kind regards,
  Nina
  

• Zé asked

  Era careca ou rapava o cabelo ao meio?

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Dear Zé,
  
  Thank you for your question. We don't think the woman was bald or had a shaved head. Her hairline probably starts a bit higher, and because of the way the hair is styled (forward on both sides), it might look a bit odd.