Who painted Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman was painted by Nicolaes Maes in 1657-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

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.

Artwork

Portrait of a Woman

Nicolaes Maes , 1657

Portrait of a Woman is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes Maes. It dates from 1657 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition relies entirely on the representation of the woman herself, capturing her presence on a copper support.

The work depicts an unidentified woman, serving as the sole main subject of this 1657 portrait by Nicolaes Maes. As a straightforward genre piece, the painting focuses on the individual likeness rather than illustrating a specific narrative, mythological figure, or allegorical concept. The subject is presented without accompanying iconographic elements or symbolic attributes that would suggest a deeper moral or religious meaning beyond her status as a portrait.

The composition relies entirely on the representation of the woman herself, capturing her presence on a copper support. No specific identity or symbolic role is assigned to the sitter within the available documentation.

History & Provenance

The copper support and the date 1657 are documented for this portrait by Nicolaes Maes, indicating it was painted in the late 1650s during the artist’s Amsterdam period. The work entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2004 as accession 2004.392, where it remains in the museum’s collection. No documented commission or early ownership history prior to its twentieth-century appearance is recorded in available sources.

The painting Portrait of a Woman by Nicolaes Maes is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work was accessioned by the museum in 2004 under the inventory number 2004.392. While specific exhibition records are not detailed in the provided sources, the artwork is currently identified as part of the museum's permanent holdings.

The piece, executed on copper in 1657, depicts an unidentified woman and remains a designated object within the institution's portrait genre collection.

Overview

This painting, titled Portrait of a Woman, was created by the Dutch artist Nicolaes Maes in 1657. Executed in oil on copper, it captures an unidentified female sitter during the flourishing period of the Dutch Golden Age. The artwork is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing Maes's skill in portraiture.

Technique & Style

Maes rendered this portrait with a realistic approach, utilizing a dark background to bring the sitter's face and clothing into sharp focus. The choice of copper as a support for the oil paint often allowed for fine detail and a smooth finish, contributing to the straightforward and elegant presentation of the woman. This stylistic choice aligns with the prevalent portraiture trends of the era.

Context

Nicolaes Maes, a prominent figure in Dutch Golden Age painting, received his artistic training under the renowned master Rembrandt. While initially working in Dordrecht, he later established himself as a leading portrait painter in Amsterdam. His diverse body of work included not only portraits but also genre scenes and religious subjects, reflecting the varied demands of the 17th-century art market.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Nicolaes Maes

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.