Artwork
Portrait of a woman
Portrait of a woman is an oil painting by Hendrik Gerritsz Pot. It dates from 1638 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Created in 1638, this oil on canvas presents a seated woman in somber attire, characteristic of Dutch portraiture of the period.
About this work
The level of detail in the woman's clothing and the folds of the fabric indicate a high level of skill on the part of the artist.
This painting depicts a woman dressed in black, with a large white collar and a head covering. She is holding a white cloth in her right hand. The background is dark, with a subtle gradient that suggests depth.
The woman's attire and the style of the painting suggest a formal portrait from the 17th century. The level of detail in the woman's clothing and the folds of the fabric indicate a high level of skill on the part of the artist.
The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes contrasts between light and dark, adds depth and volume to the painting. To learn more about this technique, look up chiaroscuro.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1638, this portrait by Hendrik Gerritsz Pot is an oil painting realized on a wooden panel support. The work measures 45 cm in height and 34 cm in width. As a formal portrait, the composition focuses exclusively on a female subject, adhering to the genre conventions of the period through its realistic depiction.
The application of oil paint on panel was a standard technique for Dutch Golden Age portraiture, allowing for the detailed rendering of the sitter's features.
History & Provenance
The painting is dated to 1638 and is attributed to Hendrik Gerritsz Pot. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, with additional administrative ties to the Dienst Verspreide Rijkscollecties and Museum Gouda. No information about its commission, prior ownership, or creation circumstances is provided in the available sources.
Portrait of a woman by Hendrik Gerritsz Pot is held in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. According to the collection record, the painting is associated with the Rijksmuseum's holdings as well as the Dienst Verspreide Rijkscollecties, the Dutch government agency that manages works from the national collection distributed to regional museums, and Museum Gouda, indicating that the panel has been on loan or otherwise affiliated with that institution in addition to the Rijksmuseum.
No specific inventory or accession number, and no exhibition history, is documented in the available sources.
Overview
Created in 1638, this oil on canvas presents a seated woman in somber attire, characteristic of Dutch portraiture of the period. The composition is dominated by a dark backdrop that recedes into a gentle tonal shift, allowing the figure’s illuminated features and white accessories to stand out. The work resides in the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is shown wearing a black dress with a pronounced white ruff and a modest head covering, holding a white cloth in her right hand. The restrained palette and dignified pose suggest a formal representation, likely intended to convey the woman’s social standing and personal virtues within the conventions of 17th‑century Dutch society.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Hendrik Gerritsz Pot (c. 1580 – 15 October 1657 (buried)) was a Dutch Golden Age painter, who lived and painted in Haarlem, where he was an officer of the militia, or schutterij. Dutch artist Frans Hals painted Pot in…
