#art, Women in Art: Judith Leyster

I must confess that I did not know much about this painter, mainly because they did not mention her at uni, but what I have discovered is incredible! Leyster, a Dutch artist from the Golden Age of Netherlander art, was not given credit for her work. Her works were attributed to Frans Hals, a baroque artist considered a master portrait painter, or to her husband, Jan Miense Molenaer, also a painter and engraver. In 1893 Cornelis Hofstede de Groot, a collector and curator, gave her the authorship of six paintings which carried her distinctive signature ‘JL’. It is incredible, but possibly because after her death many of her paintings were placed in inventory as simply being of the wife of Molenaer», and not as Judith Leyster.

She was born in Haarlem, on the 28th of July of 1609 and died in Heemstede, on the 10th of February of 1660. It is believed that her first signed commission was dated 1629. Four years later (1633), at the age of 24 years, she was admitted into the Guild of Saint Luke in Haarlem. She might have been the first female artist to be registered in the guild. But it might also have been another female artist (which we will feature here in the future) Sara van Baalbergen, who was registered, it is believed, in 1631. Judith was registered in the guild and recognised as an artist, not like many other women who were registered as embroiderers, ceramists or wood and metal workers. Some were added to the lists of the guild as the successors of their deceased artists husbands.

Her self-portrait of 1633 (see above) is considered her audition to the guild. The self-portrait definitely shows some historic changes in the style of portraits of women. Her pose is relaxed and dynamic in opposition to the style of the times. Her dress denotes her status and dignity. She presented herself as a lady of society and means. After all one can present themselves any way one wants in a self-portrait. She demonstrates the dignity of her profession.

You can see some of her works in various museums: The Rijksmuseum of Ámsterdam; The Mauritshuis of The Hague; The Museum Frans Hals of Haarlem; The Louvre of Paris; The National Gallery of London and the National Gallery of Art of Washington D. C…

CHEERS