
Read the visual description
The image depicts a seated figure, shown from head to toe, positioned with the upper body leaning slightly forward while resting against a chair. The person has short, textured hair that is dark in shade and wears a headscarf tied at the back. Their face is angled towards the viewer with features that suggest focused attention, though the details are largely composed of shading and line work typical of a sketch. They are dressed in a loose-fitting, long robe or gown that gathers at the waist, extending down to their feet. The figure is holding a small pipe in one hand, with the other resting on their lap. Next to the person is a round table that supports a tankard and a book or piece of paper. In the background, crosshatch shading suggests a simple indoor setting with no distinct details of decor or furnishings.
National Gallery of Art · Print
A Woman Smoking
Cornelis Bega
- Medium
- etching on laid paper
- Dimensions
- sheet: 6.6 × 5.8 cm (2 5/8 × 2 5/16 in.)
- Classification
- Accession number
- 1943.3.895
- Credit line
- Rosenwald Collection
- Time span
- 1601 to 1650
- Department
- CG-E
Subjects and terms
- Dutch
- Seated figure
- Woman
- Chair
- Table
- Smoke
Provenance
Vincent Mayer [1831-1918], New York (Lugt 2525); (sale, C.G. Boerner, Leipzig, May 7-9, 1928, no. 113); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], Jenkintown, PA (Lugt 1760b); gift to NGA, 1943.
Marks
verso: Vinzent Mayer (Lugt 2525)
NGA object ID 4113. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.