Anthony van Dyck Elena Grimaldi Cattaneo
1622 oil
on
96%
anvas,
(
x 682
in.
(246 x 173? cm) National Gallery, Washington
This
|xii trait,
symbol stay in
almost
.1
ot the painter's (
fenoa,
is
both
sumptuous and delicate, showing perfect harmony between the magnificence of the scene and the sensitive characterization sitter. The young noblewoman is portrayed
of the
of the loggia of a during a walk in the
in front villa
garden.
The solemn
figure
passes by, rustling the grass, while a dark-skinned
page
tries to protect
her
from the sun. It is clear from her fair hair and pale skin that the sun might be bothersome for face
the duchess, but van
Dyck
turns the delicate skin into a striking detail of his
inventive composition.
The
large red sunshade
glows
like a
around her
profane halo face, creating a
spectacular wheel of color.