Portrait Of Margaret Lemon. Workshop Of Anthony Van Dyck. England, Circa 1635–1640

A bust portrait of a young woman, traditionally identified as Margaret Lemon, the companion of the Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck, painted in his London studio around 1635–1640. The figure is depicted in three-quarter view, almost in profile, while gazing directly at the viewer. Her hand, with its slender fingers, rests on her chest, while her face is bathed in soft light that highlights the velvety texture of her skin, the rosy tones of her cheeks, and the delicate curve of her lips.

The flowers in her hair and the pearl necklace form a symbolic chain evoking purity, fleeting beauty, and an awareness of the fragility of existence. The composition is set against a mysterious, shimmering background that accentuates the psychological depth of the image and introduces an almost sacred dimension. The gesture of the hand, like an inner revelation of the soul, transforms this portrait into a meditation on mortality and dignity. The light drapery, almost sculptural in its modeling, creates an impression of lightness and inner stillness.

The painting reveals a refined technique, with smooth, transparent layers of paint, the pearlescent luster of the pearls, and a delicate modeling of the forms. All these elements are characteristic of workshop paintings executed under Van Dyck’s direct supervision. The portrait exhibits all the qualities of a work of the highest caliber: technical mastery, subtle iconography, and a rare emotional depth.

Expert Opinion: The work is accompanied by an authorized attribution and expert opinions, and bears parallels to the composition listed in Susan J. Barnes’s Van Dyck catalog raisonné, number IV 156.

Dimensions: With frame 60 × 50 centimeters, without frame 40 × 30 centimeters
Medium: Oil on oak panel
Provenance: Private collection, Europe