Artwork

Half-figure of a woman with a beret

Half-figure of a woman with a beret, by Rembrandt van Rijn, oil, 1643
Half-figure of a woman with a beret, by Rembrandt van Rijn, oil, 1643

Half-figure of a woman with a beret is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1643 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Created in 1643, this oil painting on panel functions as a portrait that simultaneously engages with religious iconography.

Created in 1643, this oil painting on panel functions as a portrait that simultaneously engages with religious iconography. While the work depicts a woman adorned with a beret, necklace, bracelet, and ring, specific attributes identify the subject as both Saskia van Uylenburgh and the biblical figure Ruth. The inclusion of waist-length hair and specific headgear supports this dual representation, blending the likeness of the artist's wife with a scriptural character.

This synthesis of personal portraiture and religious narrative is characteristic of Dutch Golden Age painting, where individual identity often intersects with broader spiritual themes.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1643, this work is an oil painting applied on a panel support. The composition presents a half-figure portrait, capturing the subject from the waist up with detailed attention to accessories such as a necklace, bracelet, and ring. The figure is adorned in a dress and distinctive headgear, specifically a beret, while waist-length hair frames the face.

Stylistically, the piece aligns with the Dutch Golden Age movement, combining elements of portraiture with religious art themes. The physical dimensions of the panel measure 75 cm in height and 60 cm in width.

History & Provenance

The work titled Half-figure of a woman with a beret was created by Rembrandt in 1643 as an oil painting on panel. It portrays Saskia van Uylenburgh and is classified as a portrait within the Dutch Golden Age. According to the Gemäldegalerie Berlin, the painting has been part of the museum’s collection since its inception and is presently displayed in Sanssouci Palace, Berlin Palace.

The work measures 75 cm in height and 60 cm in width. No documentation of a specific commission survives; the painting’s creation history is documented only by its date of 1643 and its material execution in oil on panel.

The painting dates from 1643 and is classified as an oil painting portrait. It is held in the collection of the Gemäldelagie Berlin, situated in the Sanssouci Palace of the former Berlin Palace. The work is recorded as part of the museum’s holdings, but no inventory or accession number is provided in the available documentation.

Neither the sources nor the catalog entries mention any exhibition history for this piece, indicating that it has not been listed in public exhibition records up to the present.

Context

The half-figure of a woman with a beret, painted by Rembrandt in 1643, exemplifies Dutch Golden Age portraiture. Executed in oil on panel, the work measures 75 cm by 60 cm and belongs to the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin, where it is displayed in Sanssouci Palace, Berlin. The painting depicts Saskia van Uylenburgh and is classified simultaneously as a portrait and as religious art, reflecting the thematic range of Rembrandt’s early oeuvre.

Overview

Half-figure of a woman with a beret is an oil painting created in 1643 by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, a prominent artist of the Dutch Golden Age. This work presents a woman from the waist up, dressed elegantly with a beret and fine jewelry. It is currently part of the collection at the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

Woman wearing a feather cap and veil
Woman wearing a feather cap and veil, Ferdinand Bol

Artist & collection

Portrait of Rembrandt van Rijn

Artist

Rembrandt van Rijn

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Gemäldegalerie Berlin open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Half-figure of a woman with a beret?

Half-figure of a woman with a beret was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1643-01-01.

Where can I see Half-figure of a woman with a beret?

Half-figure of a woman with a beret is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is Half-figure of a woman with a beret?

Half-figure of a woman with a beret is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Half-figure of a woman with a beret?

Museum-quality prints of Half-figure of a woman with a beret are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.