Artwork

Portrait of a Lady

Portrait of a Lady, by Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy, oil, 1635
Portrait of a Lady, by Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy, oil, 1635

Portrait of a Lady is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays an unidentified woman, rendered in oil on panel, and functions as a conventional portrait without overt symbolic attributes. Its composition and presentation reflect the status-oriented conventions of 17th‑century Amsterdam portraiture, emphasizing the sitter’s poise and refined appearance.

Technique & Style

Created in 1635, this portrait is executed in oil paint on a panel support. The work measures 112 cm in height and 90 cm in width. It depicts an unidentified woman, consistent with the artist's focus on portraiture during this period.

History & Provenance
The circumstances of its commission and early ownership history prior to its acquisition by the museum remain unrecorded in the available sources.

Painted in 1635 by Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy, this oil-on-panel portrait depicts an unidentified woman. The work is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen, where it is catalogued as KMS1221. The circumstances of its commission and early ownership history prior to its acquisition by the museum remain unrecorded in the available sources.

The Portrait of a Lady by Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen. The work bears the accession number KMS1221 within the museum's inventory. Created in 1635, this oil-on-panel painting depicts an unidentified woman and measures 112 cm in height and 90 cm in width.

The provided sources do not contain specific records regarding a history of exhibitions for this artwork.

Overview

Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenaar’s Portrait of a Lady (1635) is an oil on canvas work held by the Statens Museum for Kunst. The painting depicts an unidentified woman rendered against a dark backdrop, allowing her features and attire to stand out.

Context

Pickenaar, a Dutch Golden Age painter of Flemish descent, likely trained with Cornelis van der Voort and later influenced younger artists such as Bartholomeus van der Helst. This portrait reflects the period’s emphasis on individual representation within a restrained, domestic setting.

Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady, Jan van Ravesteyn

Artist & collection

Portrait of Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy

Artist

Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy

Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy (10 January 1588 – 1653/1656) was a Dutch painter of Flemish origin. Pickenoy was possibly a pupil of Cornelis van der Voort and presumably Bartholomeus van der Helst was his own pupil.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Portrait of a Lady?

Portrait of a Lady was painted by Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy in 1635-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a Lady?

Portrait of a Lady is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Portrait of a Lady?

Portrait of a Lady is associated with Dutch Golden Age.