Artwork
Hendrickje Stoffels (1626–1663)
Hendrickje Stoffels (1626–1663) is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This oil painting, Hendrickje Stoffels, was created by the prominent Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn around 1650.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting is a portrait of Hendrickje Stoffels, the woman who became Rembrandt's companion after the death of his wife Saskia, and who is the central subject of the work. Classified as a portrait, it presents her as a single female figure, with the depiction centered on her likeness and presence rather than on narrative or allegorical content. The work belongs to the genre of portraiture and focuses on Stoffels as its main subject, offering a personal, intimate characterization of the sitter rather than a symbolic or emblematic program.
Technique & Style
As a painted portrait, the piece focuses on the depiction of Hendrickje Stoffels.
Executed in 1650, this portrait utilizes oil paint applied to a canvas support. The work measures 78.4 cm in height and 68.9 cm in width. As a painted portrait, the piece focuses on the depiction of Hendrickje Stoffels.
The available records confirm the medium and physical dimensions but do not provide specific details regarding the artist's brushwork, layering techniques, surface handling, or the current conservation condition of the paint and canvas.
History & Provenance
Created in 1650, this oil-on-canvas portrait depicts Hendrickje Stoffels and was executed by the Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn. The work measures approximately 78.4 by 68.9 centimeters. While specific details regarding its original commission or early ownership chain are not provided in the available records, the painting is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The piece is classified as a portrait genre work, focusing on the likeness of the woman who served as Rembrandt's companion during the mid-17th century.
Overview
This oil painting, Hendrickje Stoffels, was created by the prominent Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn around 1650. The work depicts Hendrickje Stoffels, who later became Rembrandt's domestic partner. It is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a significant example of the artist's portraiture from the mid-17th century.
Context
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was a leading figure of the Dutch Golden Age, celebrated for his diverse artistic output. Beyond approximately three hundred paintings, his oeuvre included numerous etchings and drawings. His subjects ranged widely, encompassing portraits, landscapes, and historical narratives, reflecting the breadth of his artistic exploration during a period of significant cultural flourishing.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
