Interior with a cavalier and lady

Willem van Mieris 1662 - 1747

Summary

There is little doubt as to the subject of this work. The seducer's eyes, violin and bow direct us to the area of his interest; a plate of oysters, a well-known aphrodisiac, points in the same direction. The couple exchange knowing glances, implying that the woman is a prostitute with a customer. Her empty glass, vague expression and loose bodice imply excess and suggest that she will offer no resistance to her seducer. Van Mieris's refined painting technique accurately captures the soft light as it falls on the woman's shimmering dress and loose bodice, emphasising the sensuality of the scene, as does the cavalier's wandering hand. Other items in the room point to lust and excess: the parrot was often seen as the pet of a prostitute; violin playing was thought to be a frivolous waste of time. Like his father Frans van Mieris I, Willem van Mieris was a fijnschilder, or fine painter. This, dated 1685 (when van Mieris was only 23), is typical of his early work, when his subjects were elegantly dressed women, soldiers and musicians, following the subject matter of the previous generation of Leiden fijnschilders.

Display Label

Interior with a cavalier and a lady 1685 Willem van Mieris 1662-1747 Oil on panel The couple exchange knowing glances, implying that the woman is a prostitute with a customer. The tilted plate of oysters on the table represents lust, and her empty wine glass suggests excess. The cavalier is not entertaining the woman with music but is suggestively angling his violin bow on her lap. A parrot, a prostitute’s pet, is in the background. Van Mieris’ refined painting technique accurately captures the soft light as it falls on the woman’s shimmering dress and loose bodice. This emphasises the sensuality of the scene, as does the cavalier’s wandering hand. Assheton Bennett bequest 1979.476