Who painted Old Woman by a Fireplace?

Old Woman by a Fireplace was painted by Quirijn van Brekelenkam in 1660-01-01.

Where can I see Old Woman by a Fireplace?

Old Woman by a Fireplace is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Old Woman by a Fireplace?

Old Woman by a Fireplace is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Old Woman by a Fireplace?

Museum-quality prints of Old Woman by a Fireplace are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Old Woman by a Fireplace

Quirijn van Brekelenkam , 1660

Old Woman by a Fireplace is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Quirijn van Brekelenkam. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting shows an elderly woman seated near a hearth, a composition that emphasizes domestic tranquility and the quiet dignity of old age.

The painting shows an elderly woman seated near a hearth, a composition that emphasizes domestic tranquility and the quiet dignity of old age. The firelight illuminates her weathered features, symbolizing both warmth and the passage of time, while the surrounding household objects suggest the routine of daily life. Interpretations focus on the contemplative mood and the moral virtue attributed to aged figures in seventeenth-century Dutch genre scenes.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 48 cm by 36 cm, depicting an elderly woman seated near a fireplace. The composition emphasizes domestic interior genre themes, with careful rendering of interior lighting and material textures characteristic of mid-seventeenth-century Dutch genre painting. The brushwork and handling of light reflect the technical conventions of the period, contributing to the painting's formal balance and atmospheric depth.

History & Provenance

Quirijn van Brekelenkam created the painting Old Woman by a Fireplace in 1660. The work subsequently entered the Spanish royal collection, where it was owned by King Charles III and later remained in royal possession under King Ferdinand VII. Today, the painting is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid.

The work measures 48 cm in height and 36 cm in width and dates to 1660. Before entering the museum it was owned successively by King Charles III and King Ferdinand VII of Spain.

Overview

Created in 1660 by Quirijn van Brekelenkam, a Dutch painter associated with the Leiden fijnschilders, Old Woman by a Fireplace portrays a solitary elderly figure in an intimate interior. The work exemplifies the genre scenes favored during the Dutch Golden Age, focusing on everyday domestic moments rather than grand historical narratives. It is presently part of the Museo del Prado’s collection.