Imitator of David Teniers the Younger, 'An Old Woman Reading', 17th century
About the work
Overview
An old woman looks down intently at the large book she holds open – very likely a Bible, since she’s dressed in the plain clothing often worn by Calvinists, followers of a strict branch of the Protestant faith. This isn‘t a portrait but a tronie, pictures which showed stock characters, often with exaggerated facial expressions or gestures. In this case, though, it appears to be a visual example of what a pious old age should be.
David Teniers the Younger was immensely successful as a painter and his work was widely copied and imitated. This appears to be an imitation painted at the end of the seventeenth century, probably after Teniers’ death.
Key facts
Details
- Full title
- An Old Woman Reading
- Artist
- Imitator of David Teniers the Younger
- Artist dates
- 1610 - 1690
- Date made
- 17th century
- Medium and support
- oil on wood
- Dimensions
- 17.8 × 14.3 cm
- Acquisition credit
- Salting Bequest, 1910
- Inventory number
- NG2601
- Location
- Not on display
- Collection
- Main Collection
- Previous owners
Provenance
Acquired by George Salting after 1900; exh. the Collection of Pictures and Drawings of the late George Salting, Agnew’s, 1910 (266); Salting Bequest, 1910; lent through the Arts Council, to the Municipal Art Gallery and Museum, Wolverhampton, 1952–4.
Additional information
Text extracted from the ‘Provenance’ section of the catalogue entry in Gregory Martin, ‘National Gallery Catalogues: The Flemish School: circa 1600–circa 1900’, London 1986; for further information, see the full catalogue entry.
Bibliography
-
1970G. Martin, The Flemish School, circa 1600-circa 1900, London 1970
-
1986Martin, Gregory, National Gallery Catalogues: The Flemish School, circa 1600 - circa 1900, London 1986
-
2001
C. Baker and T. Henry, The National Gallery: Complete Illustrated Catalogue, London 2001
About this record
If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.
Images
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