Who painted Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman was painted by Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt in 1603-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Portrait of a Woman

Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt , 1603

Portrait of a Woman is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt. It dates from 1603 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The subject is characterized by specific elements of early seventeenth-century Dutch fashion, most notably a millstone collar and a diadem cap.

Created in 1603 by Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt, this oil painting presents a formal portrait of an unidentified woman. The subject is characterized by specific elements of early seventeenth-century Dutch fashion, most notably a millstone collar and a diadem cap. These accessories serve as primary iconographic markers, signaling the sitter's social standing and adherence to contemporary style rather than conveying allegorical or religious symbolism.

As a genre portrait, the work functions primarily as a representation of individual identity and status, focusing on the realistic depiction of the sitter's attire and demeanor without additional narrative layers.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting on wood panel, measuring 60 cm by 49.2 cm, depicting a woman wearing a millstone collar and a diadem cap. It is classified as a portrait and belongs to the portrait genre. The painting is housed in the Bavarian State Painting Collections at the Alte Pinakothek.

The formal style reflects early‑17th‑century Dutch portraiture, characterized by precise rendering of facial features and detailed attention to clothing textures.

Overview

Created in 1603 by Dutch Golden‑Age portraitist Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt, this oil painting presents a seated woman in the fashion of early‑17th‑century Holland. The work is held in the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek and exemplifies the painter’s focus on individualized, restrained portraiture.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings in the 19th century, where it has remained on public display. Its attribution to Mierevelt has been confirmed through stylistic comparison with his documented works and archival records linking the piece to his workshop.

Context

During the early 1600s, Dutch portraiture emphasized realism and individual identity, reflecting a burgeoning middle class. Mierevelt, a court painter to the House of Orange, contributed to this trend by producing portraits that combined modest elegance with precise observation of contemporary attire.

Artist & collection

Artist

Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt

Michiel Janszoon (abbr. Jansz.) van Mierevelt (Dutch pronunciation:; also spelled Miereveld or Miereveldt; 1 May 1566 – 27 June 1641) was a Dutch painter and draftsman of the Dutch Golden Age.

Museum

Bavarian State Painting Collections

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