Girl Standing before a Mirror

Caspar Netscher studied under 17th century Dutch painter, Gerard ter Borch the Younger. Much like ter Borch, Netscher painted Dutch elites in lavish, domestic settings. He was particularly renowned for his ability to recreate lifelike textures. Painting's ability to fool the eye has been revered as much as it has been critiqued. Netscher's figure points at a mirror, underscoring the illusionary aspects of the painting and life itself.

This young woman’s brown and white ensemble shows Caspar Netscher’s ability to depict gleaming satins without a trace of the paintbrush, a feat admired by discerning collectors in the Dutch Republic. Netscher studied with Gerard ter Borch and emulated his teacher’s refined interiors populated with affluent protagonists. The woman’s gesture toward the gilt-framed mirror, supplemented by the imported Persian rug and pearls, invites viewers to marvel at painting’s ability to seduce and fool the viewer.