Lady with a Tulip

Sir Anthony van, (circle) Dyck

Oil on canvas

1639-1650
  • About the work
    Location
    Country: Netherlands
    City: The Hague
    Place: British Embassy

    This painting is derived from Anthony van Dyck’s portrait of 'Jane Goodwin' (1639; State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg), daughter of the First Viscount Wenman of Thames Park and Twyford and wife of politician Arthur Goodwin (died 1643). Jane is depicted at the age of 36. She stands in a landscape similar to that of this work, holds a red tulip in her right hand and wears a brown dress with red sleeves. Another similar portrait, showing a young woman in the same pose, but wearing a white dress, was sold through Sotheby’s, London, in 1995. The Sotheby’s work was identified as a portrait of Penelope Wenman, Lady Carr, the niece of Jane Goodwin, and this work may depict another of her relatives.

  • About the artist
    Sir Anthony van Dyck was born in Antwerp. Early in his career he was an assistant to Peter Paul Rubens. He first visited England between November 1620 and February 1621, where his work impressed King James I. He then travelled to Italy, staying until the autumn of 1627, before returning to Antwerp. During his time in Italy, van Dyck developed as a portrait painter, painting mostly wealthy merchant-princes. His style evolved under the influence of works by Titian and Veronese. In 1632 he returned to England, where he became 'Principal Painter in Ordinary' to Charles I. The following year he was knighted. His portraits of the royal family enhanced their prestige at home and abroad and his work had a profound influence on British portraiture.
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  • Details
    Title
    Lady with a Tulip
    Date
    1639-1650
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    height: 207.00 cm, width: 123.50 cm
    Acquisition
    Purchased from Sotheby's, 22 February 1956
    Provenance
    Sold through Sotheby's, London, 'Old Master Drawings... also Old Master Paintings' sale, on 22 February 1956 (Lot 139), as 'Portrait of a lady in a blue dress...'; from which sale purchased by the Ministry of Works in February 1956
    GAC number
    3425