Where can I see Portrait of an old woman?

Portrait of an old woman is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of an old woman?

Portrait of an old woman is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Portrait of an old woman (1675) · Meaning & Museum

About this work

Technique & Style

Executed on parchment support, this oil painting measures 11.9 cm in height by 9 cm in width. The work depicts an elderly woman and was created in 1675. It is attributed to Jan Lievens and currently resides in the Rijksmuseum collection.

History & Provenance

Consequently, the specific cataloguing details and any past public displays of the portrait remain undocumented in the available material.

The painting is held at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, forming part of its Nederlandsch Museum voor Geschiedenis en Kunst collection. No inventory or accession number is provided in the sources, and there is no recorded exhibition history for the work. Consequently, the specific cataloguing details and any past public displays of the portrait remain undocumented in the available material. The work’s provenance prior to its entry into the Rijksmuseum is also not detailed in the sources.

Context

The painting is identified as a portrait created in 1675 using oil paint on parchment, measuring 11.9 cm by 9 cm. It is attributed to an anonymous artist following Jan Lievens and is housed in the Rijksmuseum collection, where it is classified as a historical portrait. This work exemplifies 17th-century Dutch portraiture and contributes to understanding the evolution of portrait genres during that period.

Overview

The work, titled Portrait of an Old Woman, is executed on parchment and presents a solitary figure of an elderly woman. She is depicted with a solemn expression, her face illuminated by gentle lighting that contrasts with a dark surrounding. The composition focuses on her upper body, emphasizing the textures of her clothing and the subtle play of light.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown wearing a deep‑purple hood that drapes low over her head, revealing only her eyes and forehead. A white collar edged with dark fur frames her neck, complemented by a blue ribbon. The restrained palette and her calm demeanor suggest a dignified, perhaps introspective character, while the modest attire hints at modesty or status.