269 - ANTHONY VAN DYCK

ANTHONY VAN DYCK PORTRAIT OF MARGARET LEMON. WORKSHOP OF ANTHONY VAN DYCK. ENGLAND, CIRCA 1635-1640. A half-length portrait of a young woman, traditionally identified as Margaret Lemon, the beloved of the Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck, executed in his London workshop circa 1635-1640. The sitter is depicted in a three-quarter turn, almost in profile, yet directing her gaze straight toward the viewer. Her hand with slender fingers is pressed to her chest, while her face is illuminated by a soft light that emphasizes the velvety texture of her skin, the rosy tones of her cheeks, and the delicate curve of her lips. Flowers in her hair and a pearl necklace form a symbolic chain representing purity, fleeting beauty, and an awareness of the transience of life. The composition is immersed in a mysterious shimmering background that intensifies the psychological depth of the image and introduces a sense of sacred presence. The gesture of the hand, as an inward indication of the soul, transforms this portrait into a meditation on mortality and dignity. The light drapery, almost sculptural in its plasticity, creates an atmosphere of lightness and inner stillness. The painting demonstrates refined technique: smooth and transparent layering of paint, the nacreous luster of the pearls, and the gentle modeling of volumes. All these features are characteristic of studio works created under the direct supervision of Van Dyck. The portrait possesses all the qualities of a work of high circle: accomplished technique, subtle iconography, and a rare emotional register. Expertise: The work is accompanied by authoritative attribution and expert opinions, and has parallels with compositions recorded in the catalogue raisonné of Van Dyck by Susan J. Barnes, catalogue number IV 156. Dimensions: Framed 60 × 50 centimeters, unframed 40 × 30 centimeters Material: Oil on oak panel Provenance: Private collection, Europe Width: 50cm, Height: 60cm, Depth: 10cm, Weight: 10kg, Condition: Very good, Material: Oil, Oak board, ID: ID-ANTQ-51