Who painted Portrait of an Old Woman?

Portrait of an Old Woman was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1654.

Where can I see Portrait of an Old Woman?

Portrait of an Old Woman is held by Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts.

What movement is Portrait of an Old Woman?

Portrait of an Old Woman is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of an Old Woman?

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

Artwork

Portrait of an Old Woman

Rembrandt van Rijn , 1654

Portrait of an Old Woman is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1654 and is held in the collection of the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts. Created in 1654, this oil painting by Rembrandt van Rijck presents an elderly woman seated against a dark backdrop.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The subject is rendered in oil paint on canvas, capturing the figure in a manner consistent with the artist's portraiture of the period.

The work depicts an elderly woman, characterized specifically by the presence of a hood on her head. As a portrait from 1654, the painting focuses on the representation of this female subject rather than a broader narrative scene. The visual emphasis on the hood serves as a key identifying element of the sitter's appearance within the composition.

The subject is rendered in oil paint on canvas, capturing the figure in a manner consistent with the artist's portraiture of the period.

Technique & Style

Portrait of an Old Woman is an oil painting executed on canvas, a standard support for Rembrandt's mid-career portraits. The work measures 74 by 63 cm and dates to 1654.

Stylistically, the painting belongs to Rembrandt's mature portrait practice, in which the sitter is rendered with restrained palette and concentrated characterization. The depicted woman wears a hood, a motif Rembrandt used repeatedly in his character studies of elderly subjects, lending the composition a sober, introspective quality.

History & Provenance

The painting was commissioned in 1654 by Heinrich von Brühl, a prominent Saxon minister, and remained in his collection until later transferred to the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow, where it is currently held.

The work is an oil on canvas portrait executed in 1654, depicting an elderly woman in a hood. It measures 74 cm by 63 cm and has been part of the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts collection since its transfer from Brühl's holdings.

The attribution to Rembrandt is well established, with the painting catalogued as a work by the Dutch master in major art historical records.

Overview

Created in 1654, this oil painting by Rembrandt van Rijck presents an elderly woman seated against a dark backdrop. The composition centers on her face, illuminated by a gentle light that highlights the texture of her skin and the rich red of her hood. The work belongs to the Dutch Golden Age and is currently displayed in the State Hermitage Museum.