Philipp Veit
автор
Portrait of a Woman. 1820-s

The portrait of a woman in mourning belongs to the Italian period (1815-1830) in the work of this Nazarene artist, who strove to revive the ethical and artistic ideals of German painting in the age of Dürer and the Italian Renaissance. The influence of the Old Masters is felt not only in the pictorial manner, but also in the use of the language of mediaeval symbols. The white lilies in the vase, the prayer book she is touching on the table and the sunflowers outside symbolise death, purity of heart and devotion to God. The poetic mountain landscape lends the picture a special charm.