Woman with a Millstone Ruff
1644
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1644
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This is a black-and-white portrait of a woman with a serious expression. She’s wearing a high, stiff collar called a ruff, which is very detailed and full of folds. Her hair is pulled back, and she’s dressed in a simple, dark dress with a high neckline. The ruff is the standout part—it’s huge and looks heavy, like a millstone. The artist used lots of fine lines to show the texture of her clothes and hair. Look up Baroque next to see how this style used drama and detail in portraits.
