Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

"Young Woman Seated at a Virginal," created by Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer around 1670–1672, is a quintessential work of the Dutch Golden Age and is currently housed in the National Gallery, London. Vermeer, renowned for his masterful use of light and meticulous attention to detail, captures the quiet elegance of 17th-century domestic life. This period in Vermeer's career is characterized by his exploration of intimate, serene indoor scenes, often featuring women engaged in quiet, contemplative activities.

At the heart of "Young Woman Seated at a Virginal" is a young woman perched gracefully at a virginal, a keyboard instrument similar to a harpsichord. She sits at an angle, her torso angled partly towards the viewer, drawing the observer into the scene.

- Subject and Composition:
The young woman is dressed in a stylish, cream-yellow satin gown with a blue sash tied at her waist, a hint of lace peeking out from the sleeve cuffs. Her hair is neatly styled, and she gazes directly at the viewer, her eyes capturing an essence of calm and introspective thought. Her hands rest gently on the keys, suggesting a momentary pause in her playing.

- Setting and Background:
The room is typical of Vermeer's compositions, defined by its tranquil, domestic intimacy. The backdrop features a dark, framed painting, adorned with delicate and intricate details which contrast against the smoother, brighter surfaces. This painting-within-a-painting might reference a moral or allegorical subject, a common trait in Vermeer's work.

- Play of Light and Shadow:
Vermeer’s mastery of light is brilliantly evident. Natural light floods from a window on the left, though not directly visible in the painting, illuminating the young woman's face and the fabric of her dress. The light delicately highlights the textures of her attire and the polished wood of the virginal, casting gentle shadows that enhance the depth and realism of the scene.

- Delicate Details:
The artist's attention to detail is palpable in the textures of the fabric, the gleam of the polished instrument, and the subtle rendering of the paintings within the room. The map on the wall above suggests an intellectual and cultured environment, adding another layer of narrative to the scene.

Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675) is celebrated as one of the foremost artists of the Dutch Golden Age. His oeuvre, although relatively small with only about 34 extant paintings, exhibits a remarkable consistency in quality and subject matter. Vermeer's paintings often depict serene domestic interiors with an emphasis on light and texture. He was a master of the genre and excelled in conveying the quiet moments of everyday life with unequaled clarity, beauty, and stillness.

Vermeer is closely associated with the baroque style, although his works exhibit a unique calm and restraint, often contrasting with the more dramatic and turbulent tendencies of baroque art. His use of light, attention to detail, and ability to convey a sense of stillness places him as one of the key figures in the development of genre painting and has solidified his status as a master.

1. Instrument and Symbolism:
The virginal, often a symbol of chastity and virtue in Vermeer’s time, underscores themes of purity and domestic harmony. The young woman's engagement with music introduces themes of intellectual cultivation and refined sensibility.

2. Provenance and Legacy:
This painting’s journey through history has seen it passing through various hands until it found a permanent home at the National Gallery in London. It has also been the subject of numerous studies and appreciations, underscoring Vermeer’s influence in art history.

In summary, "Young Woman Seated at a Virginal" by Johannes Vermeer encapsulates the artist's profound skill in portraying serene domesticity combined with an exquisite use of light and careful composition. It stands as a testament to Vermeer's genius and his ability to capture the quiet splendor of everyday life.