Portrait of a Young Girl as Flora by Gerard Lanscroon
This Baroque portrait, signed by Gerard Lanscroon and dated 1687, depicts a young girl from the high aristocracy as Flora, the Roman goddess of spring and flowers.
The young girl poses with solemn grace in a twilight landscape, dressed in rich, draped fabrics in shades of umber and golden silk. She delicately holds small flowers in her right hand, while a bouquet of flowers is gathered from the folds of her dress. A charming detail is her antique sandals tied around her bare feet, reinforcing the allegorical character. This representation is firmly rooted in the rich tradition of allegorical portraiture, where the deity embodies the renewal, beauty, and vitality of youth. The young girl is thus a personification of this springtime of life, making her a living symbol of innocence and the promise of the future.
Gerard Lanscroon (active c. 1677–1737) was a painter born in Flanders who settled in England. He is primarily known for his major contributions to Baroque mural decoration, assisting masters such as Antonio Verrio and Louis Laguerre on prestigious projects like Windsor Castle and Hampton Court.
The label concludes by mentioning that he died in 1737, leaving a son who followed in his footsteps, painting easel portraits.
England
Gerard Lanscroon
Dated 1687
Dimensions:
Framed: 133 cm x 108 cm
Unframed: 124 cm x 93 cm
