Lady standing at a virginal* by Johannes Vermeer

Inscribed among the most accomplished creations by the Delft painter, this interior canvas associates love allegory with the pleasures of domestic music. Bearing the title “Lady standing at a virginal”, this remarkable painting by Jan Vermeer shows a woman standing before her keyboard. The artist deploys exemplary spatial rigor to compose a calm and perfectly ordered universe of great clarity.

The lady dressed in a blue bodice with pleated white sleeves and a pale yellow satin skirt stands with her hands placed on the keys of a virginal. She turns her head toward the viewer with an expression of absolute serenity. Above her on the white wall, an imposing black-framed painting depicts Cupid holding a playing card, symbolizing faithful love. To her left, a small mountain landscape in a sparkling gold frame brings an additional touch of color. The black and white marble tile floor guides perspective toward the stained-glass window on the left.

Jan Vermeer demonstrates masterly virtuosity in controlling incident light and rendering yellow satin. His oil technique gives plaster walls and carved frames incomparable texture and clarity.