(Leiden 1613/14–1669)
A young woman preparing a spit at a window,
signed, dated and inscribed dated lower centre: JSTAVI 1652 / ION/ NES/ 16, STAVE/ REN/ 52,
oil on panel, 49.5 x 39.5 cm, framed

Provenance:
Noble collection, Styria

Exhibited:
Graz, Kulturhaus der Stadt Graz, Gemälde aus steirischem Privatbesitz, 14 October– 13 November 1971, cat. no 19

Literature:
W. Steinböck (ed.), Gemälde aus steirischem Privatbesitz, exhibition catalogue, Graz 1971, pp. 44, 45, 78 no. 19, illustrated, p. 45

This charming painting of a young woman holding a spit in her right hand, as she glances up towards the viewer, momentarily distracted from her preparations, is a characteristic example of ‘niche’ format of painting that became the hallmark of the Leiden ‘Fine painters’ (fijnschilders), first developed by Gerrit Dou during the 1640s. Despite the realistic rendering of the vegetables, earthenware and feathers, the architectural framing of such a scene is an entirely artificial device, which helped emphasise the sense of illusion. Certainly, the display of produce in such a grand and formal setting proved popular with the Dutch clientele of the day. Such styles and themes were often imitated, elaborated on and transformed by the likes of Dou and his followers. In the case here, Van Staveren is entirely in keeping with the Dou tradition, in particular the striking similarities between the present painting and the Young woman drawing water from a well by Gerrit Dou of circa 1650/55 conserved in the Kunstmuseum Basel (inv. no. G 1958.17). A comparative painting by the artist of similar composition format was sold at Christie’s, Amsterdam (see sale, Christie’s, Amsterdam, 13 October 2009, lot 8).