Portrait of a Lady

Kruseman was the society painter of the Dutch Romantic period. The ladies he portrayed were members of the moneyed classes who kept close track of the newest developments in Parisian fashion. Kruseman painted their fashionable hair styles, sumptuous hats, expensive cashmere shawls and lace accessories, right down to the very last detail. The striking thing about this portrait is the widely-spread head of curls (kept in place by gum Arabic or sugar water) and the exuberant disproportionate hair-piece, consisting of a broad, pink-satin ribbon that is ingeniously interwoven with lace.