A Young Woman Seated at the Virginals

"A Young Woman Seated at the Virginals" is an enchanting painting attributed to the Dutch master Johannes Vermeer. This attribution was confirmed through meticulous technical examinations in 1993. Painted around 1670, the artwork is now part of the esteemed Leiden Collection in New York. It is important not to confuse this piece with a similar one housed at the National Gallery in London.

The painting has an intriguing history, having been owned by notable collectors such as Pieter van Ruijven and Jacob Dissius before ending up in the possession of Alfred Beit in 1904. Although its authenticity was questioned due to the prevalence of art forgeries, it was re-recognized as a genuine Vermeer by the mid-20th century.

In 1993, Sotheby's conducted further research that bolstered its attribution to Vermeer, with some experts suggesting it might have been reworked after the artist's death. The painting was acquired by Steve Wynn in 2004 and later became part of the Leiden Collection. Recently, it has been exhibited around the world, drawing attention for its striking similarities to other Vermeer works in terms of size, materials, and techniques.

Although the painting is unsigned, the hairstyle of the young woman, which was fashionable in the 1670s, resembles that of the subject in Vermeer’s "The Lacemaker." Critics such as Walter Liedtke have described it as a "minor late work" by Vermeer, praising its color scheme and luminosity. The meticulous detail in the woman's skirt and the wall's texture are quintessential Vermeer, though some elements, like the cloak, might have been retouched by another artist.