# Woman before the Mirror \(detail\)

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/mieris-frans-van-the-elder-rdf939c384ba7d8/woman-before-the-mirror-detail-rcbcdb1e251596b>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [MIERIS, Frans van, the Elder](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/mieris-frans-van-the-elder-rdf939c384ba7d8>)
- Date: 1651-1700
- Technique: Oil on wood

## Commentary

This painting shows the traditional subject of a woman admiring herself in a mirror: in the work of Hieronymous Bosch, for example, it was a symbol of the sin of superbia \(pride\) but by the time it was painted by Gerard ter Borch and van Mieris it simply provided an opportunity for the painter to display his skill in rendering reflections and rich materials. Van Mieris highlights the shimmering satin dress and brightly coloured feather within the dark interior, encouraging the viewer to admire his craftsmanship and virtuosity.

## Related artworks

- [A Meal of Oysters](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/mieris-frans-van-the-elder-rdf939c384ba7d8/a-meal-of-oysters-r1bddc64fb2dd4d>)
- [Boy Blowing Bubbles](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/mieris-frans-van-the-elder-rdf939c384ba7d8/boy-blowing-bubbles-r915eeab61c7778>)
- [Brothel Scene](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/mieris-frans-van-the-elder-rdf939c384ba7d8/brothel-scene-r79d7e40622c83b>)
- [Carousing Couple](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/mieris-frans-van-the-elder-rdf939c384ba7d8/carousing-couple-rae90852c52d51e>)
- [Duet](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/mieris-frans-van-the-elder-rdf939c384ba7d8/duet-r8bbd68a5cf69c4>)
- [Musical Company](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/mieris-frans-van-the-elder-rdf939c384ba7d8/musical-company-r6226f26672b564>)
- [Oyster Eaters](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/mieris-frans-van-the-elder-rdf939c384ba7d8/oyster-eaters-rfb1cc382ff8f0a>)
- [Pictura \(An Allegory of Painting\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/mieris-frans-van-the-elder-rdf939c384ba7d8/pictura-an-allegory-of-painting-ra3a9987585f8db>)
- [Portrait of a Young Man](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/mieris-frans-van-the-elder-rdf939c384ba7d8/portrait-of-a-young-man-r57bb788c64eaac>)
- [The Cloth Shop](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/mieris-frans-van-the-elder-rdf939c384ba7d8/the-cloth-shop-r7ee8b6eb365a67>)
- [The Lacemaker](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/mieris-frans-van-the-elder-rdf939c384ba7d8/the-lacemaker-r287c7c4bf61589>)
- [The Music Lesson](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/mieris-frans-van-the-elder-rdf939c384ba7d8/the-music-lesson-reff4869e5a1b82>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)