Artwork
An Old Woman Dozing over a Book
An Old Woman Dozing over a Book is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Nicolaes Maes. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:upper right above keys: N. MAES
About this work
Technique & Style
The composition depicts an old woman dozing over a book, a subject rendered with the careful attention to detail typical of Maes's genre subjects.
The work is an oil painting on canvas, created in 1655 by Nicolaes Maes. It measures 82.2 cm in height and 67 cm in width, characteristic of Dutch genre scenes of the period.
The composition depicts an old woman dozing over a book, a subject rendered with the careful attention to detail typical of Maes's genre subjects. The painting entered the National Gallery of Art as part of the Andrew W. Mellon collection and remains in the museum's holdings.
History & Provenance
Nicolaes Maes created the oil-on-canvas painting An Old Woman Dozing over a Book in 1655. The work's documented ownership begins in Paris with Antoine Delacoux de Marivault, whose collection was offered for sale in early 1806. The painting appeared in subsequent Parisian auctions in 1806, 1816, and 1818, and was possibly sold in London in 1833 before entering the collection of Thomas Grove Smith of Worcestershire.
Following Smith's death in 1879, the painting passed by inheritance to his son, Herbert George Smith. It was later sold through London dealers in 1919 and 1920, moving to the United States where it was held by Nils B. Hersloff in New Jersey. The A. W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust purchased the work on April 16, 1936, and it was gifted to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 1937.
Overview
Nicolaes Maes, a painter from the Dutch Golden Age, created An Old Woman Dozing over a Book around 1655. This oil on canvas work exemplifies his skill in capturing domestic scenes. The painting portrays an elderly woman in a moment of quiet slumber, her head resting on her hand as an open book lies before her.
Maes, a student of Rembrandt, became a notable figure known for his genre paintings, portraits, and religious subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents an intimate glimpse into the life of an elderly woman, depicted in a state of peaceful repose. Her closed eyes and tilted head suggest she has momentarily succumbed to sleep while reading. This focus on an ordinary, private moment reflects a common theme in 17th-century Dutch art, where artists often explored the quiet dignity and routines of daily existence, inviting viewers to contemplate human vulnerability and tranquility.
Context
Active during the flourishing Dutch Golden Age, Nicolaes Maes distinguished himself through his diverse artistic output, which included genre scenes, portraiture, and religious narratives. His particular interest in domestic interiors and the depiction of everyday life, as seen in this work, contributed significantly to the evolving landscape of Dutch painting. These intimate portrayals offered a counterpoint to grander historical or mythological subjects, resonating with the tastes of contemporary patrons.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolaes Maes (January 1634 – December 1693; buried 24 December 1693) was a Dutch painter known for his genre scenes, portraits, religious compositions and the occasional still life.
