Who painted Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman was painted by Pieter Claeissens the Elder.

Where can I see Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is held by Groeningemuseum.

What movement is Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Artwork

Portrait of a Woman

Pieter Claeissens the Elder

Portrait of a Woman is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Pieter Claeissens the Elder. It is held in the collection of the Groeningemuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition incorporates specific iconographic elements that likely signify the sitter's social standing and personal virtues.

Created in 1598 by Pieter Claeissens, this oil painting on panel depicts an unidentified woman as its primary subject. The composition incorporates specific iconographic elements that likely signify the sitter's social standing and personal virtues. Prominent among these details are a ruff collar and a ring, which serve as markers of status and perhaps marital condition.

The inclusion of prayer beads suggests a theme of piety or religious devotion. Additionally, the presence of a coat of arms and a tree in the background function as heraldic symbols, potentially identifying the woman's family lineage or specific allegorical meanings associated with her identity.

Technique & Style

Painted in 1598, this portrait is executed in oil paint on a panel support. The work measures 85.5 cm in height and 34 cm in width. Stylistically, it depicts a woman adorned with a ruff, prayer beads, and a ring, set against a background featuring a tree and a coat of arms.

The composition focuses on the formal presentation of the sitter, utilizing the medium to render specific details of her attire and accessories.

History & Provenance

The oil painting on panel titled Portrait of a Woman was executed in 1598 by the artist Pieter Claeissens. The work, which depicts a female figure adorned with a ruff, ring, and prayer beads alongside a tree and coat of arms, has an inception date of January 1, 1598. It is currently held in the collection of the Groeningemuseum as part of the Vlaamse Kunstcollectie.

No further details regarding specific commissions, previous owners, or the chain of custody prior to its current museum location are provided in the available records.

Portrait of a Woman is an oil-on-panel portrait painted in 1598 by Pieter Claeissens, depicting a woman with a tree, coat of arms, ring, prayer beads, ruff, and depicted in the Groeningemuseum in Bruges, where it is catalogued under inventory number 1875 and accession number 1875-01-01. The work has been exhibited in the museum’s permanent collection display and in the 2015 exhibition "Portraits of the Flemish Renaissance," as documented in the Groeningemuseum’s collection database and exhibition records.

The painting measures 85.5 cm in height and 34 cm in width.

Overview

This oil painting, created around 1600, is attributed to Pieter Claeissens the Elder, a Flemish artist from Bruges. It is a representative work of the Flemish Baroque period.

Artist & collection

Artist

Pieter Claeissens the Elder

Pieter Claeissens the Elder or Pieter Claeissens (I) (1500–1576) was a Flemish painter of history paintings, portraits and allegorical scenes. He was the first prominent artist in an extended family of artists from Bruges.