Artista nord-europeo, metà XVII secolo

Oil on canvas

cm. 45x26. Framed

The painting depicts a portrait of Barbara Urslerin, also known as Barbara van Beck, who was born in Augsburg in 1629. Affected by hypertrichosis, she was exhibited from childhood in travelling shows across Europe. Despite this, she received an education that enabled her to learn several languages and to play the harpsichord. An educated woman and musician, she married Johan Michael van Beck, who also became her manager. Celebrated throughout Europe, she was portrayed in various paintings and engravings, including a 17th-century work held at the Wellcome Collection in London, which depicts her with dignity and grace, highlighting her status as a respected and admired woman despite her physical condition. The last recorded account of her life dates to 1668 in London.