Godfried Schalcken, Dutch, 1643-1706
Title: Preciosa Recognised
Date: late 1660s
Medium: Oil on wood panel
Dimensions:
44.2 x 31.2 cm
Signed: lower left: G. Schalcken
Credit Line: Purchased, 1898
Object Number: NGI.476
DescriptionExecuted with a meticulous technique, this painting represents an episode from Cervantes’s short story, The Little Gypsy, which was translated into Dutch and performed as a play. Pretiose had been abducted as a child by an old gypsy woman, Majombe, who now confesses to save Pretiose’s lover, Don Juan, from trial by her father, a magistrate. Pretiose reveals her identity to her astounded parents by showing a birthmark on her breast. Her jewellery and notice of disappearance lie on the floor. The unblemished rose in a marble bowl is a metaphor for Pretiose’s innocence. The picture is highly theatrical in terms of the facial reactions, physical gestures and costumes, which range from plain drapes to satin, brocade and silk.
Schalcken painted with an exquisite touch and a porcelain smooth surface. He learned his ‘fine’ painting technique from Gerrit Dou, who trained him in the early 1650s. Later in his career, Schalcken gained international fame and wealth from his candlelit scenes and his portraiture. His clients included King William III of England and Johann Wilhelm, the elector Palatine in Düsseldorf.
March 2016
Schalcken painted with an exquisite touch and a porcelain smooth surface. He learned his ‘fine’ painting technique from Gerrit Dou, who trained him in the early 1650s. Later in his career, Schalcken gained international fame and wealth from his candlelit scenes and his portraiture. His clients included King William III of England and Johann Wilhelm, the elector Palatine in Düsseldorf.
March 2016
ProvenanceCollection of Phillipe, Duc d'Orléans (the Regent) at the Palais-Royal, Paris; sold with the Flemish and Dutch paintings of the collection by Philippe-Égalité, great-grandson of the Duc d’Orléans; purchased Thomas Moore Slade in 1791 or 1792, acting on behalf of Lord Kinnaird, Mr. Morland and Mr. Hammersley; sold in London, April-June 1793; Christie's, 26 May 1818, 'A Gentleman of Surrey' (Stephenson) sale, lot 256, bought in; Christie's, 6 April 1876, Albert Levy sale, lot 367; Pearson; purchased, P. & D. Colnaghi, London, 1898
Exhibition HistoryThe Orleans Gallery, The Great Rooms (formerly Royal Academy), Pall Mall, London, 1793
Master European Paintings from the National Gallery of Ireland, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, 6 June - 9 August 1992; Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, San Francisco, 19 September - 6 December 1992; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 13 January - 28 March 1993; IBM Gallery, New York, 27 April - 26 June 1993
Schalcken - Painted Seduction, Wallraf-Richartz Museum, Cologne, 25 September 2015 - 24 January 2016; Dordrechts Museum, Dordrecht, 21 February - 26 June 2016
The Orléans Collection, New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans, 25 October 2018 - 27 January 2019
Master European Paintings from the National Gallery of Ireland, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, 6 June - 9 August 1992; Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, San Francisco, 19 September - 6 December 1992; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 13 January - 28 March 1993; IBM Gallery, New York, 27 April - 26 June 1993
Schalcken - Painted Seduction, Wallraf-Richartz Museum, Cologne, 25 September 2015 - 24 January 2016; Dordrechts Museum, Dordrecht, 21 February - 26 June 2016
The Orléans Collection, New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans, 25 October 2018 - 27 January 2019
Label TextThis painting represents an episode from Cervantes's Little Gypsy, which was translated into Dutch and performed as a play. Preciosa was abducted as a child by an old gypsy woman, Majombe, who now confesses to save Preciosa’s lover Don Juan from trial by her father, a magistrate. Preciosa reveals her identity to her astounded parents by showing a birthmark on her breast. Her jewellery and notice of disappearance lie on the ?oor. The unblemished rose in a marble bowl is a metaphor for Preciosa’s innocence. The meticulously painted picture is highly theatrical in terms of the facial reactions and physical gestures.