In the summer of 1905, the Spanish-born, Paris-based artist Pablo Picasso made a brief visit to the Netherlands. He travelled to the rural northern towns of Alkmaar, Hoorn and Schoorl, where he was enamoured by the picturesque houses, windmills and women dressed in traditional West Frisian costumes and caps. While his stay was brief and few works from the trip survive, La Belle Hollandaise is a key painting that marks a transition from the subdued hues of Picasso’s ‘blue period’ to the brighter and happier ‘rose’ works. He was just 23 at the time. Picasso is said to have been impressed by the good health and stature of the Dutch girls, and immensely taken with their rosy skin and calm nature.

Little is known about the young Dutch woman who sat naked (except for her floddermuts lace cap) for Picasso. Working quickly in water-based paints and chalk on card, the artist captures an intimate and relaxed moment with this ‘beautiful Dutch girl’. Picasso must have been pleased with the result — he inscribed the work at the top left as a gift to Paco Durio, his dear friend and neighbour in the Parisian suburb of Montmartre.

Behind the scenes: La Belle Hollandaise

Find out more about Picasso’s portrait of this unknown Dutch woman, including how this work was made and how QAGOMA acquired it in 1959.