Who painted Hendrickje Stoffels by a Door?

Hendrickje Stoffels by a Door was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1655-01-01.

Where can I see Hendrickje Stoffels by a Door?

Hendrickje Stoffels by a Door is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is Hendrickje Stoffels by a Door?

Hendrickje Stoffels by a Door is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Hendrickje Stoffels by a Door?

Museum-quality prints of Hendrickje Stoffels by a Door are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Hendrickje Stoffels by a Door

Rembrandt van Rijn , 1655

Hendrickje Stoffels by a Door is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

A key is also visible among the depicted items, and her expression features a slight smile and a dimple.

The painting depicts Hendrickje Stoffels, identified as the main subject, standing by a door. Rendered in the Dutch Golden Age style, the portrait captures her waist-length hair, coif, and décolletage, along with specific jewellery including an earring, necklace, bracelet, and ring. A key is also visible among the depicted items, and her expression features a slight smile and a dimple.

The work functions as a portrait that presents Stoffels not merely as a domestic figure but as an individual with distinct personal attributes, integrating symbols of her role and adornment within a domestic architectural setting.

Technique & Style

The work is painted in oil on canvas, the support identified for this Dutch Golden Age portrait. Rembrandt applied layered oil paint to render the sitter's earring, necklace, key, and the open door, while the half-length format measures 88.6 cm by 67 cm. The composition places Hendrickje Stoffels in modest dress, with a coif, bracelet, and ring, set against a doorframe and interior space. As a portrait from the mid-1650s, it exemplifies the naturalistic rendering and careful attention to material surface typical of the period.

History & Provenance

The painting is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin, where it remains on public display. Its inventory record is not specified in the provided sources. The work was formerly owned by Edouard Warneck before entering the Berlin museum's holdings. No exhibition history is documented in the cited sources.

Overview

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn completed Hendrickje Stoffels by a Door in 1655, an oil painting depicting his companion, Hendrickje Stoffels. This work exemplifies the artist's mature period during the Dutch Golden Age, characterized by a focus on profound human expression. The portrait captures Stoffels in a moment of quiet contemplation, standing near a dark doorway, reflecting Rembrandt's dedication to intimate and psychologically rich portrayals.

Context

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was a preeminent artist of the Dutch Golden Age, a period of flourishing artistic and cultural innovation. Hendrickje Stoffels by a Door belongs to a phase in his career marked by a profound interest in capturing the inner life of his subjects through deeply personal and expressive portraits. This approach diverged from more conventional, idealized depictions, emphasizing individual character and emotional depth.