Why is this painting of a felt hat nicknamed 'The Straw Hat'?
Bart Cornelis, our Curator of Dutch and Flemish Paintings explains why Rubens's portrait of Susanna Lunden has the word straw and not felt in its title
Rubens was one of the best portrait painters in the history of art. His Portrait of Susanna Lunden (?) ('Le Chapeau de Paille'), though not one of his largest or most dramatic works, has inspired artists for centuries.
There are various stories behind how the painting came to be known as 'Le Chapeau de Paille' (French for 'The Straw Hat') - a strange title given that the hat Susanna is wearing is not made of straw.
Bart Cornelis, Curator of Dutch and Flemish paintings, tells us the story of this influential painting and its confusing name.
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