A praying elderly woman by Quiringh Van Brekelenkam (1622-1669)

Oil on panel
Signed and dated lower left.

Quiringh van Brekelenkam was a Dutch genre painter, who studied under Gerard Dou. As a result, his paintings from the 1640s and 50s are similar to those of the Leiden fijnschilders.

This painting captures the quiet dignity of a moment steeped in everyday grace. The elderly woman, seated steadfastly on a sturdy wooden chair, becomes the focal point.

In an expression of devout humility, the woman clasps her hands in prayer, a testament to the spirituality woven into the fabric of daily life. The wooden chair, worn with the passage of time, supports her with a sense of enduring stability, mirroring the resilience of the human spirit.

At her knees, a white cloth rests, upon a plate with a freshly baked fish. The simplicity of this scene resonates with a profound harmony between sustenance and spiritual devotion. The table, adorned with a jug and a half-loaf of bread, further underscores the humble abundance that graces this intimate space.

In the background the suggestion of a hearth or kitchen emerges. Warm browns, rich reds, and inviting yellows dominate, creating an atmosphere that radiates comfort.

Through this painting, he invites viewers to contemplate the profound beauty woven into the fabric of everyday existence—a testament to the enduring power of simplicity, devotion, and the quietude.