Artwork
Portrait of a Woman, Probably Susanna Lunden
Portrait of a Woman, Probably Susanna Lunden is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Peter Paul Rubens. It dates from 1625 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work's significance lies in its representation of this specific individual, a member of the prominent Fourment family connected to the artist's circle.
Executed in 1625, this oil painting on panel functions as a portrait depicting a female figure identified as Susanna Fourment, also historically referred to as Susanna Lunden. As the primary subject, the woman is presented within the conventions of seventeenth-century portraiture, serving as a record of her likeness and social standing. The work's significance lies in its representation of this specific individual, a member of the prominent Fourment family connected to the artist's circle.
While the composition focuses on the realistic depiction of the sitter, the identification of the main subject anchors the piece as a document of personal identity rather than an allegorical or mythological narrative. The artwork, held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, reflects Rubens's engagement with portraying members of the Antwerp bourgeoisie during this period.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting on panel executed in 1625 by Peter Paul Rubens. It employs a fluid handling of oil paint to model the sitter's features with broad, luminous glazes and softly blended transitions, characteristic of Rubens's mature Antwerp style. The composition is organized around a three-quarter pose, with the figure turned slightly to the right and her gaze directed toward the viewer.
Light falls across the face and drapery, creating gentle modulations of tone that emphasize volume and texture. The handling favors a delicate, painterly touch rather than linear definition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1625, this oil painting on panel was executed by Peter Paul Rubens. The work depicts Susanna Fourment (also known as Susanna Lunden), who serves as the primary subject of the portrait. While specific details regarding the original commission or a detailed chain of ownership prior to its current location are not provided in the available records, the piece is firmly dated to 1625.
The artwork currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified as a portrait. The physical dimensions of the panel are recorded as 76.8 centimeters in height and 60 centimeters in width.
Overview
Peter Paul Rubens, a leading Flemish artist, completed Portrait of a Woman, Probably Susanna Lunden in oil paint around 1625. This work represents a characteristic example of Baroque portraiture, focusing on the individual with a vivid and dynamic style. The painting is housed within the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcasing Rubens's masterful command of the medium.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Peter Paul Rubens ( ROO-bənz; Dutch:; 28 June 1577 – 30 May 1640) was a Flemish artist and diplomat.
- Portrait of a Woman
Helena Fourment
Portrait of Margaretha Godin (d. 1694), wife of the artist
Maria van der Burght, eerste echtgenote van François Leidecker
Helena Fourment (1614-73). The artist's second wife
Portrait of Petronella van der Burcht (1657-1682)
Portrait of Anthony van Dyck's wife Mary Ruthven
Portrait of a noblewoman
Untitled
Clelia Cesarini Colonna (1655-1735), Duchess of Sonnino, as Cleopatra
Helene Fourment (copie după Rubens)
Portrait of Isabella Brant