A Young Lady Trimming her Fingernails
- Artist: Jacob Ochtervelt
- Date: probably 1670-5
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "A Young Lady Trimming her Fingernails" by Jacob Ochtervelt. Painted in the Dutch Golden Age, it's a fine example of domestic life during that time. The scene takes place in a richly decorated interior, which was typical for the wealthy classes.
You can see on the right-hand side a table covered with an expensive Turkish carpet, and on top of it, there are various objects such as a mirror, a jewellery box, and a string of pearls. A large tapestry hangs on the back wall, depicting a narrative scene that unfortunately can't be identified with certainty.
The silver ewer and basin in this painting appear in several boudoir scenes by Ochtervelt from around the early 1670s. This suggests that he painted these works shortly before or after moving to Amsterdam from his native Rotterdam.
The medium used here is oil on canvas, which was a common practice during this period. The date of creation for this piece falls within 1670-5, making it an important part of Ochtervelt's oeuvre and a valuable insight into the lives of the Dutch upper class in the late 17th century.
See it in person
A Young Lady Trimming her Fingernails hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
