De serenade

Judith Leyster was the first woman to become a master painter in the Netherlands in the 17th century. She received this title in 1633 after being admitted to the Haarlem Guild of St Luke. This high status allowed Leyster to open her own studio in Haarlem and take on pupils. Her talent is on display in the effects of light and dark and her use of colour in this painting of a singing lute player. The bright red of his breeches forms a fine contrast with the greenish background.