Who painted Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1635-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Woman?

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

Artwork

Portrait of a Woman

Rembrandt van Rijn , 1635

Portrait of a Woman is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

Subtle impasto animates the flesh, while the dark background is softly modulated to concentrate attention on the sitter’s softly lit features and inward gaze.

Painted in oil on a vertically grained oak panel, the work measures 77.5 × 64.8 cm. The handling combines delicate, translucent glazes over a warm imprimatura with fluid, calligraphic brushwork in the opaque highlights of the collar and face, characteristic of Rembrandt’s mid-1630s practice. Subtle impasto animates the flesh, while the dark background is softly modulated to concentrate attention on the sitter’s softly lit features and inward gaze. Infrared reflectography reveals a carefully underdrawn face, with adjustments to the contour of the nose and placement of the eyes, suggesting successive refinements during execution.

Overall condition is stable, with minor abrasion along the lower edge and a small repaired loss near the left shoulder.

History & Provenance

Created in 1635 in the Netherlands, this oil painting on oak panel is attributed to Rembrandt van Rijn, though some records designate it as a product of his studio. The work's ownership history includes the collection of Charles Sedelmeyer, followed by Karl von der Heydt. It subsequently entered the holdings of Elisabeth Severance Prentiss before being acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is currently housed under the accession number 1944.90. The piece depicts a female subject and measures approximately 77.5 by 64.8 centimeters.

Overview

Rembrandt van Rijn, a prominent artist of the Dutch Golden Age, completed Portrait of a Woman in 1635. This oil painting captures an unidentified female sitter, showcasing the artist's skill in rendering individual character. The work is representative of the portraiture popular during this period and is currently held in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art. Rembrandt produced a diverse body of work, including numerous paintings, etchings, and drawings throughout his career.

Subject & Meaning

The painting presents a woman from the waist up, her figure emerging from a dark background. She is dressed in a dark gown, accented by a white lace collar and a pearl necklace. Her dark hair is styled back, adorned with a small decorative piece.

The artist focuses on her face, which bears a neutral expression, her eyes meeting the viewer's gaze directly. This portrayal conveys an impression of quiet dignity and refined elegance.

Context

As a leading figure of the Dutch Golden Age, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was prolific, creating approximately three hundred paintings in addition to numerous etchings and drawings. This portrait exemplifies the artistic trends of the era, where individual likenesses were highly valued. His extensive output and innovative approach to light and shadow solidified his reputation as a significant contributor to Dutch art history, influencing subsequent generations of artists.