Artwork

Portrait of a Woman

Portrait of a Woman, by Jacob Jordaens, oil, 1640
Portrait of a Woman, by Jacob Jordaens, oil, 1640

Portrait of a Woman is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jacob Jordaens. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of a Woman is a 1640 oil painting by Jacob Jordaens, a prominent Flemish Baroque artist. The work is characteristic of his skill in portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a woman in a simple dark dress with a white ruff collar, holding an open book. Her gaze is directed off to the side, and her face and hands are highlighted against a dark background.

Technique & Style

Jordaens employed chiaroscuro, a technique using strong contrasts between light and dark, to create a smooth, luminous effect on the subject's skin. The dark surroundings emphasize her face and hands.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of the collection at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, exemplifying Jordaens' prolific output as a portrait painter.

Portrait of a woman
Portrait of a woman, Abraham de Vries

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jacob Jordaens

Artist

Jacob Jordaens

Jacques (Jacob) Jordaens (19 May 1593 – 18 October 1678) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and a designer of tapestries and prints.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman was painted by Jacob Jordaens in 1640.

Where can I see Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is held by Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

What movement is Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

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.