Portrait Of A Lady
Anthony van Dyck was the ultimate fashion photographer of the 17th century, and this portrait proves it. The subject is rocking a massive 'cartwheel' ruff collar that looks impossibly stiff and pristine, framing her face like a halo against the dramatic red curtain. Van Dyck had a genius for making the aristocracy look effortlessly chic, capturing the sheen of her gold-embroidered bodice and delicate lace cuffs with loose, confident brushstrokes. He essentially invented the 'cool' look for European nobility, influencing fashion and portraiture for centuries to come.
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