Artwork

Portrait of a woman

Portrait of a woman, by Gijsbertus Johannus van den Berg, ivory, 1800
Portrait of a woman, by Gijsbertus Johannus van den Berg, ivory, 1800

Portrait of a woman is an ivory painting by the Neoclassicist artist Gijsbertus Johannus van den Berg. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is presented without overt allegorical attributes, suggesting a focus on likeness rather than symbolic narrative.

The work depicts a single woman rendered in ivory, a format typical of late‑18th‑century portrait miniatures. The sitter is presented without overt allegorical attributes, suggesting a focus on likeness rather than symbolic narrative. As a portrait in the Rijksmuseum collection, it functions as a visual record of an unnamed female sitter, embodying the conventions of elite representation in Dutch painting of the period.

History & Provenance

The work titled Portrait of a woman was created in 1798 by Gijsbertus Johannus van den Berg. Executed on ivory, it is classified as a portrait and depicts a woman. The painting entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display.

Portrait of a woman by Gijsbertus Johannus van den Berg is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is located. The work, dated 1798 and executed on ivory, forms part of the museum's holdings of portrait miniatures by the artist.

No specific inventory or accession number is recorded in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented.

Context

Gijsbertus Johannus van den Berg created this ivory portrait in 1798, reflecting neoclassical conventions in Dutch painting through its restrained composition and focus on bourgeois subjectivity. The work demonstrates his engagement with Enlightenment-era sensibilities regarding gender and representation, particularly in its depiction of female dignity within private domesticity. As part of the Rijksmuseum's collection since its acquisition, the painting occupies a significant position within van den Berg's oeuvre, bridging 18th-century portraiture and early Romantic sensibilities in Dutch art history.

Overview

This ivory portrait, created by Gijsbertus Johannus van den Berg around 1800, is a representation of a woman. It is housed at the Rijksmuseum.

Technique & Style

The portrait is rendered on ivory, with a muted greenish-gray background that subtly contrasts with the subject's dark clothing, emphasizing her features.

Mrs. William Few (Catherine Nicholson)
Mrs. William Few (Catherine Nicholson), John Ramage

Artist & collection

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Portrait of a woman?

Portrait of a woman was painted by Gijsbertus Johannus van den Berg in 1798-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a woman?

Portrait of a woman is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of a woman?

Portrait of a woman is associated with Neoclassicism.

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.