Artwork

Portrait of a Woman

Portrait of a Woman, by Bernardino Campi, oil, 1560
Portrait of a Woman, by Bernardino Campi, oil, 1560

Portrait of a Woman is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Bernardino Campi. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The presence of the dog alongside the woman is recorded as part of the depicted elements, suggesting a domestic or symbolic context within the portrait genre.

The work shows a solitary female sitter accompanied by a small dog, a composition noted in the catalog entry. It is an oil‑on‑canvas portrait executed in 1560 by Bernardino Campi, whose name appears in both the provenance record and the museum’s descriptive data. The painting measures roughly 141 cm by 97 cm and belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, where it is classified as a portrait from the Renaissance period.

The presence of the dog alongside the woman is recorded as part of the depicted elements, suggesting a domestic or symbolic context within the portrait genre.

Technique & Style

The Portrait of a Woman (c. 1560) by Bernardino Campi is executed in oil on canvas, a support typical of High Renaissance portraiture. The work measures approximately 141.3 × 97.2 cm, as recorded in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s catalog. Oil paint is applied to a stretched canvas, allowing layered modeling and subtle chiaroscuro that model the sitter’s features and the small dog at her side.

The composition balances a three‑quarter view with a muted background, reflecting the formal conventions of 16th‑century Italian portraiture. The painting’s condition is documented as stable within the museum’s collection, preserving the original coloration and surface detail.

History & Provenance

Portrait of a Woman was created by Bernardino Campi in 1560, executed in oil paint on canvas. The painting entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently held. Beyond the date of inception and its present institutional home, the available records do not document the original commissioner, the circumstances of its creation, or the successive private owners through whom it passed before reaching the museum. No earlier provenance entries, acquisition circumstances, or intermediate ownership details are recorded in the consulted sources.

The Portrait of a Woman by Bernardino Campi is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The painting, executed in oil on canvas around 1560, depicts a woman accompanied by a dog. While the source material confirms the institution holding the work and its physical dimensions, no specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available records.

Furthermore, the provided sources do not contain information regarding the work's exhibition history or specific dates of public display. The artwork remains part of the museum's permanent holdings, categorized as a portrait within their collection.

Context

The painting titled Portrait of a Woman was created by Bernardino Campi in 1560. It is an oil on canvas portrait measuring 141.3 × 97.2 cm and depicts a woman accompanied by a dog. The work is classified as a portrait and was produced in the Renaissance period, reflecting contemporary conventions of status representation and symbolic detail.

It is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, where it remains on public view. As a representative example of late‑Mannerist Italian portraiture, the piece illustrates the blending of naturalistic observation with formal compositional balance characteristic of Campi’s oeuvre.

Overview

Bernardino Campi's Portrait of a Woman, painted in oil in 1560, captures a distinguished female figure. This work exemplifies the artist's skill in rendering detailed attire and nuanced expressions, characteristic of the Italian Mannerist period. The painting is currently housed in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, offering insight into 16th-century portraiture.

Erzherzogin Barbara (1539-1572), Herzogin von Ferrara in ganzer Figur
Erzherzogin Barbara (1539-1572), Herzogin von Ferrara in ganzer Figur, Francesco Terzi

Artist & collection

Portrait of Bernardino Campi

Artist

Bernardino Campi

Bernadino Campi (1522–1591) was an Italian Renaissance painter from Cremona, who worked in Reggio Emilia.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman was painted by Bernardino Campi in 1560-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is associated with Mannerism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Woman?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Woman are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.