Portrait of a young Woman, with 'Puck' the Dog by Thérèse Schwartze - c. 1879 - c. 1885 - 144 × 103 cm Rijksmuseum Portrait of a young Woman, with 'Puck' the Dog by Thérèse Schwartze - c. 1879 - c. 1885 - 144 × 103 cm Rijksmuseum

Portrait of a young Woman, with 'Puck' the Dog

oil on canvas • 144 × 103 cm
  • Thérèse Schwartze - 20 December 1851 - 23 December 1918 Thérèse Schwartze c. 1879 - c. 1885

Thérèse Schwartze painted this model wearing Italian garb in her atelier in Paris. The young woman exchanges a glance with Puck, the dog at her right. The various rich fabrics of her dress are masterfully rendered. At the time, for a young Dutch woman to work in Paris was as unconventional as pursuing an artistic career. As the seasoned daughter of a professional painter, however, Schwartze was not deterred by such obstacles.

We present today's work thanks to the Rijksmuseum. 

P.S. Thérèse Schwartze's perseverance paid off and she became the painter of Amsterdam's elite! Learn more about her story.

P.P.S. If you like animals painted by famous artists, please check out our cute Animals in Art 50 Postcard Set!