Where can I see Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas?

Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas?

Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

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Museum-quality prints of Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas by Ferdinand Bol (1640)

About this work

Subject & Meaning

She is shown wearing a diadem cap, a millstone‑collar and holding a handkerchief, attributes that signal her affluent status and domestic respectability.

The painting depicts a married woman identified as Elisabeth Bas, a prominent 17th‑century Dutch merchant. She is shown wearing a diadem cap, a millstone‑collar and holding a handkerchief, attributes that signal her affluent status and domestic respectability. The work, executed in oil on canvas in 1640, was originally believed to be by Rembrandt before Abraham Bredius reassigned it to Ferdinand Bol; the attribution is now widely accepted.

Its display at the Rijksmuseum emphasizes the role of elite women in the Dutch Golden Age, while a later cigar brand appropriated the image, underscoring its cultural resonance.

Technique & Style

The portrait is executed in oil on canvas, a support documented in the material description, and belongs to the 17th‑century Dutch portrait tradition linked to the Golden Age. Ferdinand Bol used oil paint to achieve a detailed representation of the sitter, rendering elements such as a handkerchief, diadem cap and millstone collar that identify her as Elisabeth Bas. These details embody the period’s emphasis on precise characterization and subtle lighting characteristic of Dutch portraiture of the 1640s, combining realistic likeness with decorative motifs.

History & Provenance

Created in 1640, this oil painting on canvas was commissioned by Maria Rey, the granddaughter of the sitter, the Dutch businesswoman Elisabeth Bas. Although the work was attributed to Rembrandt until 1911, expert Abraham Bredius re-assigned it to Ferdinand Bol in that year, a conclusion initially disputed by collector Cornelis Hofstede de Groot but now widely accepted. The Rijksmuseum, which currently houses the piece, maintains some doubt regarding the sitter's identity despite the traditional association.

The painting's ownership history includes possession by Jacobus Salomon Hendrik van de Poll, followed by the Muilman family members Henric, Willem Mogge, and Anna Maria Muilman.

The work is held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it is part of the museum's permanent collection. Its provenance includes ownership by Jacobus Salomon Hendrik van de Poll, Henric Muilman, Willem Mogge Muilman and Anna Maria Muilman before the museum acquired it. The painting is displayed in the Rijksmuseum's Dutch Golden Age galleries, providing public access to the portrait. Its accession number is not published in the available sources.

Context

Ferdinand Bol painted Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas in 1640, an oil on canvas portrait that entered the Rijksmuseum collection and is documented as depicting the merchant Elisabeth Bas with characteristic accessories such as a handkerchief and millstone collar. Early 20th‑century connoisseurship initially linked the work to Rembrandt, but Abraham Bredius’ 1911 re‑attribution to Bol sparked debate with Cornelis Hofstede de Groot, a dispute that modern scholarship still acknowledges while confirming Bol’s authorship. The painting’s status as a emblem of Dutch Golden Age portraiture is reinforced by its presence in a cigar brand’s logo, underscoring its cultural resonance beyond the museum.

Legacy

The painting's reputation has evolved significantly since its creation. Until 1911, the work was widely attributed to Rembrandt, a view that persisted until art historian Abraham Bredius re-attributed it to Ferdinand Bol. Although this re-attribution faced initial strong opposition from collector and scholar Cornelis Hofstede de Groot, it is now the accepted consensus.

The image has also transcended the art world to enter popular culture and commerce. In the 20th century, a cigar brand produced at a factory in Boxtel adopted the painting as its logo. The resulting cigar bands and packaging have since become recognized collector's items, cementing the work's legacy beyond the Rijksmuseum.

Overview

This oil painting, attributed to Ferdinand Bol, depicts an elderly woman, traditionally identified as the businesswoman Elisabeth Bas. Created in the 1640s, it is a notable example of Dutch Golden Age portraiture. The sitter is presented with a serious demeanor, dressed in period attire, and occupies a somber, undefined space.

It is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, where its subject's identity remains a topic of scholarly discussion.