Three studies of a young woman

This painting of three studies of a young woman, around 1650, by Jordaens, shows the same model from different angles—a study method used to explore facial expression and lighting. Such multi-view studies served as reference material for the artist's workshop. Jordaens, who outlived both Rubens and Van Dyck to become the dominant figure in Flemish Baroque painting for the second half of the seventeenth century, was particularly celebrated for his exuberant genre subjects, especially his series on the Flemish proverb about the King of the Bean.

The three views demonstrate Jordaens's ability to capture the same face from different angles with consistent characterization. The warm flesh tones and lively brushwork create convincing portraits within the study format.