Woman with a Pear
17th century
Medium
Etching; third state
Dimensions
Sheet: 5 13/16 x 4 13/16 in. (14.8 x 12.2 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1979
Accession Number
1979.502.2
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold Ferdinand Bol's enchanting *Woman with a Pear*, a 17th-century etching the Dutch Golden Age. This intimate portrait captures a woman holding a ripe pear, blending portraiture with subtle still-life elements—a nod to the era's fascination with everyday abundance. Measuring just 5 13/16 x 4 13/16 inches, its small scale made it ideal for collectors' cabinets of curiosities. Bol (1616–1680), a prized pupil of Rembrandt, mastered the Baroque style's dramatic light and rich textures. As a third-state etching—an advanced version refined through multiple iterations—this print showcases his etching prowess: fine, fluid lines that evoke volume and personality with remarkable economy. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, it exemplifies the technical innovation of intaglio printing, allowing artists to disseminate their work widely. This piece highlights women's portraits in Dutch art, often conveying quiet dignity amid domestic symbols like the pear. A gem from The Elisha Whittelsey Collection (1979), it invites us to savor Bol's legacy of elegance and precision.
About the Artist
Ferdinand Bol · 1616–1680
As a very young man, Bol moved to Amsterdam, where he worked under the direction of Rembrandt, with whom he formed a friendship. Comment on works: Religious; History; Portraits