Who painted Half-length portrait of a woman?

Half-length portrait of a woman was painted by Jacob Adriaensz Backer in 1638.

Where can I see Half-length portrait of a woman?

Half-length portrait of a woman is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Half-length portrait of a woman?

Half-length portrait of a woman is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Half-length portrait of a woman

Jacob Adriaensz Backer , 1638

Half-length portrait of a woman is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jacob Adriaensz Backer. It dates from 1638 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Technique & Style

The painting employs oil on canvas, laid out in a half-length format that centers on the sitter’s upper body and face.

The painting employs oil on canvas, laid out in a half-length format that centers on the sitter’s upper body and face. Handling is precise, with carefully modeled features and smooth transitions in the flesh tones, while the drapery is rendered in broader, fluid strokes that contrast with the finer detailing of the ruff and cuffs. A subdued palette of ochres, umbers, and muted reds underpins the composition, and the background is kept deliberately dark to concentrate attention on the figure.

The condition appears stable, with no significant losses or abrasions reported; the paint layer remains intact and the surface retains a coherent varnish layer consistent with a work of this period.

History & Provenance

The painting, titled Half-length portrait of a woman, was created by Jacob Adriaensz Backer in 1638. This work is classified as a portrait genre piece depicting a woman. The artwork is currently held within the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections, specifically at the Alte Pinakothek.

While the specific commission details and earlier ownership history are not detailed in the provided records, the creation date is established as 1638. The work measures 66.4 cm in height and 49.5 cm in width.

The painting is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections and is located at the Alte Pinakothek. Created in 1638, the work measures 66.4 cm in height and 49.5 cm in width. The provided sources do not contain information regarding a specific inventory or accession number, nor do they list any exhibitions in the work's history.

Overview

Created in 1638 by Dutch artist Jacob Adriaensz Backer, this half‑length portrait presents a seated woman rendered in restrained tones. The work belongs to the Dutch Golden Age, a period noted for its focus on realistic representation and subtle psychological insight. It is currently part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown turned slightly away from the viewer, dressed in a dark, modest gown trimmed with delicate lace at the neckline and cuffs. A simple necklace with an attached brooch rests at her throat, suggesting a status of quiet refinement. The composition emphasizes the individual's calm demeanor rather than narrative content.

Context

Backer’s career, spanning roughly two decades, produced about 140 works across portraiture, religious scenes, and mythological subjects. His style shows the influence of contemporaries such as Wybrand de Geest, Peter Paul Rubens, and Abraham Bloemaert, blending Dutch realism with a subtle Baroque sensibility that is evident in this intimate portrait.

Bildnis der Prinzessin Francisca Elisabeth von Parma, Unknown

Artist & collection

Artist

Jacob Adriaensz Backer

Jacob Adriaensz Backer (1608 – 27 August 1651) was a Dutch Golden Age painter. He produced about 140 paintings in twenty years, including portraits, religious subjects, and mythological paintings. In his style, he was…