Catalogues

Lady with Water Pitcher

An unknown young lady props her arms on a pitcher out of which is running water. Her blue coat is slightly seized by the wind, her dress is made of transparent muslin and almost resembles a veil. The plants surrounding her are suggestive of underwater flora; thus, the lady can be identified as a water nymph. The miniature is very delicately painted, the pastels and the movement of the cloth emphasize the flowing aspect of the subject. The lady`s tender, slightly pert smile points to the erotic touch of the portrait. Painting ladies as the personification of a source was extraordinarily popular in the first half of the 18th century. The message thus conveyed, however, remains questionable. There are two principal ways of interpretation: either the lady is supposed to personify the "source of love", or the water shall serve as refreshment for the ones who are actually thirsting for love.

¹ Vgl. die Darstellung einer Dame als Quelle in Kat.-Nr. 2000-21 in "Miniaturen aus der Sammlung Tansey".