The artwork “Portrait of Philadelphia and Elisabeth Cary” was crafted by the prominent Baroque artist Anthony van Dyck around the year 1635. The medium employed for this piece is oil on canvas. Measuring 130 by 162 centimeters, this portrait genre piece resides at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
The artwork depicts two young girls, presumably sisters, positioned in a pastoral landscape, which is characteristic of van Dyck’s portraiture. The elder of the two, positioned on the left, is adorned in a luxurious dress with shimmering satin-like fabric that cascades down her form, accentuated with button embellishments, and she wears a delicate strand of pearls around her neck. Her demeanor is poised and she gazes directly at the viewer with an expression of serene confidence. Her curly hair is partially tied back, with loose ringlets framing her face, adding a touch of youthful innocence.
The younger sister, standing to the right, is clad in a simpler dress of a soft blue tone that drapes elegantly. She places her hand gently on her sibling’s arm, suggesting a bond of closeness and affection between them. Her glance towards her sister conveys a look of admiration and trust. The two girls’ facial features resonate with familial resemblance, underlining the notion that they are indeed siblings.
At the bottom left of the artwork, a small spaniel dog adds a dynamic element to the composition. The dog appears to be interacting with the elder sister, reaching up towards her gracefully extended hand—an action that further instills the scene with life and movement. The inclusion of a pet in the portrait is indicative of the status and domestic life of the subjects.
Behind the figures, the backdrop is an idyllic landscape featuring a tree to the left and an expansive sky above, suggesting the wealth and stature of the subjects by highlighting their leisure in a tranquil, natural setting. The use of lighting and shadow is characteristic of Baroque art, as is the sense of depth created through the composition. Overall, the portrait exudes a sense of refined elegance, capturing not just the physical likeness but also a suggestion of the relationship and status of the young girls it represents.
