Gérard DOU, the lady at his toilet, engraving, nineteenth century

Charming engraving by albert henri payne, after a painting by gérard dou, dating from 1667, "the woman at her toilet". This engraving shows a woman getting ready, probably by putting on makeup. This first woman sits and wears a rather rich toilet, including a coat with fur. The interior of the house is richly decorated as a 17th century interior. Rich fabrics are present on the armchairs, table, etc. At the bottom there is a fireplace with moldings, paintings are hung on the walls. There are glass windows and a mirror. Albert henri payne was a steel engraver, painter and illustrator of the nineteenth century. He was originally from britain, but eventually settled in leipzig. This engraver is not well documented. Gerard dou is a dutch painter of the 17th century. His father was a stained glass manufacturer and he trained as an engraver. But he eventually studied painting and joined rembrandt's studio. This is how he learned to master colors. He is best known for his small paintings. He specialized in genre scenes. He was much appreciated by european sovereigns. He founded the school of fine painters in leiden.