Where can I see Portret van een vrouw?

Portret van een vrouw is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portret van een vrouw?

Portret van een vrouw is associated with Neoclassicism.

Artwork

Portret van een vrouw

Portret van een vrouw is an ivory painting. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work is a monochrome portrait executed on ivory, portraying a woman in profile as she looks to the right.

About this work

Technique & Style

The artwork is an oil painting executed on an ivory support, measuring 5.4 cm in height and 4.5 cm in width. The portrait depicts an anonymous woman and was created in the Northern Low Countries in 1790. The technique emphasizes fine detail and a smooth surface that highlights the translucency of the ivory, contributing to a lifelike rendering of the subject's features and attire.

Overview

The work is a monochrome portrait executed on ivory, portraying a woman in profile as she looks to the right. She is shown wearing a hat embellished with feathers and a bow, while her hair is arranged in an up‑do. The composition is rendered entirely in black tones against a white background, emphasizing line and contrast.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait focuses on the sitter’s attire and headwear, elements that signal fashion and status in the period. The careful rendering of the feathered hat and decorative bow highlights the importance of personal adornment, while the profile pose follows a longstanding tradition of presenting identity through silhouette.

History & Provenance

The piece is part of the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Its acquisition details are recorded by the museum, where it remains on display as an example of ivory portraiture employing strong tonal contrast.