Artwork
Portrait of Sara Stiermans, the Artist's Wife

Portrait of Sara Stiermans, the Artist's Wife is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Dionys van Nijmegen. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
The composition presents a conventional portrait format with the sitter rendered in a naturalistic style characteristic of Dutch portraiture of the period.
The work is executed in oil paint on a copper support, reflecting an 18th-century technique of painting on metal. Measured dimensions of 17 cm by 13 cm correspond to the painting's physical size as recorded in the museum's documentation. The surface handling and condition are not detailed in the provided sources, and therefore are not addressed here.
The composition presents a conventional portrait format with the sitter rendered in a naturalistic style characteristic of Dutch portraiture of the period.
History & Provenance
The painting Portrait of Sara Stiermans, the Artist's Wife was created in 1750 by Dionys van Nijmegen as an oil on copper portrait commissioned as a spouse likeness. It has remained in the collection of the Rijksmuseum since its acquisition, where it is currently displayed.
The work measures 17 cm in height and 13 cm in width.
Portrait of Sara Stiermans, the Artist's Wife is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Its accession number is not specified in the provided sources. The work was exhibited in the Rijksmuseum's exhibition titled "Dutch and Flemish Paintings from the Rijksmuseum Collection" in 1905.
Overview
Dionys van Nijmegen’s portrait of his wife, Sara Stiermans, dates from around 1750. Executed on a copper plate, the work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection. The composition centers on a single figure against an unadorned dark backdrop, allowing the sitter’s features and attire to dominate the visual field.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is presented with a calm demeanor, her pale complexion contrasting with a modest dark dress trimmed by a white fur collar. Light brown hair is gathered neatly, and a simple headband frames her face, suggesting a restrained elegance typical of mid‑18th‑century domestic portraiture.
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