Madam Parson

Jan Verkolje I after Sir Peter Lely

National Gallery of Art

The woman depicted in the artwork is shown from the knees up, seated with her body slightly turned to the left. Her head is turned toward the viewer, with a direct gaze. She has curly, voluminous hair framing her face, with softly rendered facial features. She is dressed in a lavish dress with a low neckline, decorated with buttons along the front, and puffed sleeves gathering at her shoulders. The dress appears to be made of a luxurious fabric, with folds and drapes. She rests her right hand in her lap, while her left arm is positioned on the armrest beside her. On both wrists, she wears a pearl bracelet. The background features a drapery cascading from above, with a window or opening showing a garden landscape to the right. The garden includes trees and a distant view of a fountain surrounded by shrubbery.