Woman at a Mirror — Gerard ter Borch

Gerard ter Borch. Painted c. 1652.

A young boy holds up a mirror for the woman in the satin gown, who gazes upward at a far more plainly dressed woman. In the 17th century, mirrors symbolized vanity and the transience of life. This painting serves as a cautionary reminder: youth and beauty are fleeting. Ter Borch’s sister, Gesina, also an artist, probably modelled for both women, and his brother Moses for the boy.

From the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

panel, oil paint (paint) · Original size: 26 × 34.5 cm · De Bruijn-van der Leeuw Bequest, Muri, Switzerland

Print: 26 × 34.5 cm, printed on Hahnemühle FineArt archival cotton paper. Museum-grade reproduction quality, true to the colours and detail of the original work.

Frame (optional): a custom-made wooden frame in a matte black finish, cut to the exact dimensions of this print, with an off-white passe-partout mat and protective glazing. Ready to hang.

Source: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200108276. Image released under CC0 by the Rijksmuseum.