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Notes

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A typical candle-lit scene by Schalcken, demonstrating his exceptional qualities as a painter of nocturnal light. The subject and composition appear to have been inspired by Dou (q.v.), in particular by the 'Old Woman Threading a Spool' (Dresden, Gemäldegalerie). The youth and elegance of the girl, together with the closer view-point, suggest the influence of Frans van Mieris and Netscher (qq.v.), and the picture may accordingly be dated to the late 1670s. It belonged in the eighteenth century to the prince de Conti, among others, and was acquired speculatively by the 3rd Marquess of Hertford, who had it framed to match other works in his collection (cf. Berchem P183, Brouwer P211 and Metsu P206). He later attempted unsuccessfully to sell the picture at Christie’s in 1807.

The Wallace Collection

London

Title

Girl Threading a Needle by Candlelight

Date

late 1670s

Medium

oil on oak panel

Measurements

H 19.3 x W 15.6 cm

Accession number

P171

Acquisition method

acquired by Francis Charles Seymour-Conway, 3rd Marquess of Hertford by 1807; bequeathed to the nation by Lady Wallace, 1897

Work type

Painting

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The Wallace Collection

Hertford House, Manchester Square, London, Greater London W1U 3BN England

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