Who painted Portrait of a Woman with a Squirrel?

Portrait of a Woman with a Squirrel was painted by Francesco Montemezzano in 1570-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a Woman with a Squirrel?

Portrait of a Woman with a Squirrel is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of a Woman with a Squirrel?

Portrait of a Woman with a Squirrel is associated with Mannerism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Woman with a Squirrel?

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

Artwork

Portrait of a Woman with a Squirrel

Francesco Montemezzano , 1570

Portrait of a Woman with a Squirrel is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Francesco Montemezzano. It dates from 1570 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Technique & Style

Stylistically, the composition focuses on a female figure adorned with specific jewelry, including a necklace, earrings, and a pendant, alongside a bow.

Executed in 1570, this portrait utilizes oil paint applied to a canvas support. The work measures approximately 133.5 cm in height and 98 cm in width, though some records indicate a height of 130 cm. Stylistically, the composition focuses on a female figure adorned with specific jewelry, including a necklace, earrings, and a pendant, alongside a bow. A defining formal element is the inclusion of a Eurasian Red Squirrel, which the subject holds or interacts with near a tablecloth.

The painting is classified within the portrait genre, emphasizing the realistic depiction of the sitter's attire and the animal companion through the medium of oil.

History & Provenance

Created around 1570, the oil-on-canvas Portrait of a Woman with a Squirrel is attributed primarily to Francesco Montemezzano, though some records also associate the work with Francesco Beccaruzzi. The painting's provenance is marked by significant 20th-century displacements, having passed through the collection of the Stichting Nederlands Kunstbezit and the Dienst Verspreide Rijkscollecties. During World War II, the work entered the Führermuseum before being secured at the Munich Central Collecting Point for restitution.

Following these complex ownership transitions, the portrait was transferred to the Rijksmuseum collection in Amsterdam, where it remains today. The work measures approximately 130 to 133.5 centimeters in height and 98 centimeters in width, depicting a woman adorned with jewelry alongside an Eurasian red squirrel.

Context

The work titled Portrait of a Woman with a Squirrel, dated 1570, is recorded as an oil painting on canvas measuring 133.5 × 130 cm. It is classified as a portrait and is listed in the collections of the Rijksmuseum, Stichting Nederlands Kunstbezit, Führermuseum and Munich Central Collecting Point, among others. The painting depicts a woman wearing a necklace, earring, pendant and a bow, and includes an Eurasian Red Squirrel as a symbolic element. Its provenance and current locations are documented in museum records, reflecting its significance within the corpus of 16th‑century portraiture.

Overview

Francesco Montemezzano, a painter associated with the late Renaissance and Mannerist style in Verona, completed Portrait of a Woman with a Squirrel in 1570. This oil painting captures a woman holding a Eurasian Red Squirrel, an unusual companion in a formal portrait. The work exemplifies characteristics of the Mannerist period, focusing on elegance and detailed representation. It is currently part of the collection at the Rijksmuseum, offering insight into 16th-century portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait features a woman adorned in elaborate 16th-century fashion, including a crisp white ruff collar and a red, gold-trimmed jacket. Her hair is intricately styled, accented by a red bow. In her right hand, she gently holds a small Eurasian Red Squirrel, which clings to her arm, its bushy tail prominent.

In historical portraiture, squirrels often served as symbols of status, wealth, or virtues such as chastity and modesty, reflecting the sitter's character or social standing through an exotic pet.