Artwork
Young Woman in Fantasy Costume
Young Woman in Fantasy Costume is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1633 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The subject matter centers on the individual identity of van Uylenburgh, capturing her likeness within an imaginative or theatrical attire.
The painting depicts a young woman identified as Saskia van Uylenburgh, the artist's partner, presented in a portrait genre. She is shown wearing a fantasy costume, a stylistic choice that aligns with the work's classification as a portrait featuring a specific sitter rather than a generic allegorical figure. The subject matter centers on the individual identity of van Uylenburgh, capturing her likeness within an imaginative or theatrical attire.
History & Provenance
Young Woman in Fantasy Costume was painted by Rembrandt in 1633, executed in oil paint on oak panel as a portrait of Saskia van Uylenburgh. The work is held in the collections of the Rijksmuseum and the Amsterdam Museum. A secondary inception date of 1640 is also associated with the painting in cataloguing records, suggesting possible uncertainty or revision regarding its creation date.
The painting's documented ownership places it within two institutional collections in Amsterdam, though the sources do not detail an earlier private provenance, commission, or chain of custody prior to its museum holdings. No information is provided about who commissioned the portrait or its acquisition history.
The painting Young Woman in Fantasy Costume is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The work is attributed to Rembrandt and dates from either 1633 or 1640. It is executed in oil paint on an oak panel and measures 65 cm in height by 48 cm in width.
The subject is identified as Saskia van Uylenburgh, the artist's wife. No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available records, nor is there documented information regarding its exhibition history.
Overview
Created in 1633, this oil painting by Rembrandt van Rijn portrays a young woman in an elaborate costume. The work belongs to the collection of the Rijksmuseum and exemplifies the artist’s early portraiture during the Dutch Golden Age.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing soft shadows to model the face and neck, while a focused light source creates a gentle illumination on the cheek. The restrained background, rendered in deep tones, isolates the figure and enhances the three‑dimensional effect.
Context
Produced during a period when Rembrandt explored a range of subjects, from intimate portraits to grand historical scenes, the work illustrates his early mastery of portraiture and his interest in combining realism with a hint of theatrical costume.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
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