Anna Maria van Schurman by Cornelis Jonson van Ceulen, c. 1657

Image Information

Artist Cornelis Jonson van Ceulen paints van Schurman here in a three-quarter pose, staring directly out at the viewer with a thoughtful expression. She clutches the spine of a book in her right hand while appearing to touch a ribbon at her bodice with her left. Van Ceulen’s 1657 monochromatic image recalls the style of court paintings done by Anthony van Dyck. The work was intended as a model for later engravers such as Cornelis van Dalen, as evidenced by the empty banner held by two cherubs. Van Dalen’s print, which has also been reproduced in the Image Gallery, inserts a poem in praise of its sitter.

Citation: Van Ceulen, Cornelis Jonson. 1657. Portrait of Anna Maria van Schurman. Oil on panel. (31 x 24.4 cm.) National Gallery of Art, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Permissions: This image is used with permission from the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC.
Credit: National Gallery of Art, Washington, Gift of Joseph F. McCrindle
Associated timeline dates: 1657
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