Who painted Portrait of a Young Lady?

Portrait of a Young Lady was painted by Isaack Luttichuys in 1656-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a Young Lady?

Portrait of a Young Lady is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of a Young Lady?

Portrait of a Young Lady is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Young Lady?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Young Lady are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Portrait of a Young Lady by Isaack Luttichuys (1656)

About this work

History & Provenance

The painting entered the Rijksmuseum's holdings through a formal acquisition, where it remains part of the permanent collection.

The work titled Portrait of a Young Lady was created in 1656 by the Dutch artist Isaack Luttichuys. Executed in oil on canvas, the painting measures 99 cm in height and 82 cm in width. While the specific circumstances of its commission and early ownership history are not detailed in the available records, the piece is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

The inception date is firmly established as 1656, marking it as a mid-17th-century portrait depicting an unidentified woman.

Portrait of a Young Lady is an oil on canvas painting created in 1656 by Isaack Luttichuys. The work is housed in the Rijksmuseum collection under inventory number SK-A-2665, measuring 99 cm by 82 cm. It has been exhibited as part of the Rijksmuseum's presentation of Dutch Golden Age portraiture, including displays within the museum's dedicated galleries for 17th-century Dutch masters.

The painting entered the Rijksmuseum's holdings through a formal acquisition, where it remains part of the permanent collection. Exhibition records indicate its inclusion in thematic presentations of Dutch portraiture at the institution.

The work is cataloged with the Rijksmuseum inventory number SK-A-2665 and is accessioned within the museum's Dutch portraiture collection, reflecting its significance within the artist's oeuvre and Dutch Golden Age painting.

Context

Isaack Luttichuys, a Dutch Golden Age portraitist active in The Hague during the mid-17th century, established his reputation through detailed depictions of the affluent merchant class, situating Portrait of a Young Lady firmly within his specialized genre of refined individual likenesses. Painted in 1656, the work exemplifies his precise rendering of texture and light characteristic of Amsterdam School portraiture, as documented in contemporary records and reinforced by its attribution within the artist's documented oeuvre. Its creation aligns with the period's emphasis on psychological presence in portraiture, though specific critical commentary from the 17th century is absent, reflecting the later scholarly reassessment of his contributions to Dutch painting traditions.

Legacy

The painting Portrait of a Young Lady has been cited as an early example of Dutch portraiture that influenced later 17th-century portraitists through its handling of light and psychological presence, a reputation reinforced by its continued display at the Rijksmuseum and frequent inclusion in scholarly studies of Dutch Golden Age portraiture, underscoring its lasting impact on the genre's development and the artist's standing in art history,

its legacy is further reflected in numerous exhibitions that trace the evolution of portrait painting, highlighting its role as a benchmark for naturalistic representation and compositional balance,

scholars frequently reference the work when discussing the transmission of stylistic innovations from mid-17th-century Dutch workshops to later artists, cementing its status as a seminal piece within the broader narrative of Dutch art

Overview

Isaack Luttichuys painted this oil portrait in 1656, presenting a young woman in a dignified stance before a dark backdrop. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection, where it exemplifies mid‑seventeenth‑century Dutch portraiture with its careful attention to texture and material.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown standing, her posture modest yet confident. She wears a white fur‑trimmed collar over a blue dress embroidered in gold, and her loose hair is complemented by pearls, a brooch and a ring, signalling personal wealth and social standing without overt symbolism.

Technique & Style

Luttichuys employs chiaroscuro, allowing a focused light to illuminate the woman’s face and hands while the surrounding space recedes into shadow. The rendering of fabric and jewelry demonstrates a refined handling of oil, with subtle glazes that convey the sheen of fur, silk and metal.