Artwork

Young Woman with a Red Necklace

Young Woman with a Red Necklace, by Rembrandt van Rijn, oil, 1645
Young Woman with a Red Necklace, by Rembrandt van Rijn, oil, 1645

Young Woman with a Red Necklace is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1645 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Its presence in the Metropolitan Museum of Art underscores its continued relevance as a study of portrait symbolism.

The work depicts a young woman wearing a conspicuous red necklace, a detail that signals both personal identity and social standing in 17th-century Dutch portraiture. The red adornment functions as a visual cue to wealth and marital eligibility, while the sitter's composed gaze and modest attire reflect contemporary ideals of feminine virtue. As a portrait attributed to Rembrandt and recorded in 1645, the painting serves as a record of the sitter's status within the merchant class and offers insight into the artist's interest in capturing psychological depth through subtle material cues.

Its presence in the Metropolitan Museum of Art underscores its continued relevance as a study of portrait symbolism.

Technique & Style

Young Woman with a Red Necklace is an oil painting executed on a panel support, measuring 21.6 by 18.4 centimeters. Created in 1645, the work is classified as a portrait depicting a woman adorned with a necklace. While traditionally attributed to Rembrandt, the piece is also described in scholarly records as being in the style of the master.

The medium consists of oil paint applied to the wooden panel, a common technique for portraiture of the period. The composition focuses on the formal presentation of the sitter, utilizing the intimate scale of the panel to emphasize the subject's features and the titular red necklace. The work remains part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

History & Provenance

Created in 1645, this oil painting on panel is attributed to Rembrandt, though some classifications describe it as in the style of Rembrandt. The work depicts a woman wearing a necklace and measures 21.6 by 18.4 centimetres. It was historically owned by Albert von Oppenheim and now resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified as a portrait. The sources do not provide a specific accession number or exhibition history for the painting.

Overview

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, a prominent artist of the Dutch Golden Age, completed Young Woman with a Red Necklace in 1645. This oil painting is a portrait that exemplifies the artist's focus on individual character and his command of light and texture during this period. The work is now part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Context

Created in the mid-17th century, this piece reflects Rembrandt's broader artistic output, which encompassed a wide array of subjects including historical narratives, landscapes, and numerous portraits. As a leading figure of the Dutch Golden Age, he was known for his ability to imbue his subjects with a profound sense of presence and inner life, characteristics evident in this intimate portrayal.

Young Woman with a Pearl Necklace
Young Woman with a Pearl Necklace, Willem Drost

Artist & collection

Portrait of Rembrandt van Rijn

Artist

Rembrandt van Rijn

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Young Woman with a Red Necklace?

Young Woman with a Red Necklace was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1645-01-01.

Where can I see Young Woman with a Red Necklace?

Young Woman with a Red Necklace is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Young Woman with a Red Necklace?

Young Woman with a Red Necklace is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Young Woman with a Red Necklace?

Museum-quality prints of Young Woman with a Red Necklace are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.