Lady with a Fan
c. 1628
Van Dyck was the ultimate celebrity portraitist of the 17th century, and here he shows off his talent for painting ridiculously fashionable silk. The subject’s enormous, ribbon-tied sleeves and casual fan-holding pose scream aristocratic confidence, while the loose brushstrokes make the fabric look like it's actually shimmering. This kind of effortless elegance became his signature, basically inventing the look of British high society for the next hundred years. She's often thought to be a specific noblewoman, but her exact identity remains a bit of a mystery, adding to her allure.
Location: Wallace Collection, London