Artwork
Portrait of a Woman

Portrait of a Woman is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Willem Wissing. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The 1694 oil painting by Willem Wissing portrays an unidentified woman, making the depicted subject a single female sitter typical of 17th‑century portraiture.
The 1694 oil painting by Willem Wissing portrays an unidentified woman, making the depicted subject a single female sitter typical of 17th‑century portraiture. The work, classified as a portrait and listed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, emphasizes the sitter's presence through conventional composition and attire, reflecting contemporary ideals of status and virtue. Its material, oil on canvas, reinforces the formal qualities of the genre, while the artist's approach to rendering facial detail and clothing underscores the painting's function as a visual record of identity and social standing.
Technique & Style
Created in 1694 by Willem Wissing, the Portrait of a Woman is executed in oil paint on a canvas support. The work functions as a formal portrait depicting a female subject, adhering to the conventions of late seventeenth-century portraiture. Physically, the painting measures 126.4 centimeters in height and 102.2 centimeters in width.
As an oil-on-canvas piece, it represents the standard material practice for high-status portraiture of the period. The artwork is currently held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While the specific brushwork and condition details are not elaborated in the provided records, the classification confirms its status as a painted portrait utilizing traditional oil mediums on a stretched fabric ground.
History & Provenance
Created in 1694, this oil painting on canvas is attributed to the artist Willem Wissing. The work, classified as a portrait depicting a woman, measures 126.4 by 102.2 centimeters. While specific details regarding the original commission or the identity of the sitter are not provided in the available records, the piece is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains part of the institution's permanent holdings. No intermediate owners or exhibition history prior to its museum acquisition are documented in the provided sources.
Overview
Willem Wissing, a Dutch artist who established his career in England, completed Portrait of a Woman in 1694. This oil painting captures an unidentified female sitter, reflecting the artistic trends of the Dutch Golden Age. The work is currently housed within the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a significant example of late 17th-century portraiture.
Context
Willem Wissing, originally from the Netherlands, established a career as a prominent portrait painter in England during the late 17th century. His work, including this piece, aligns with the broader artistic flourishing of the Dutch Golden Age, a period characterized by significant advancements in art, science, and culture. Wissing's style bridges Dutch artistic traditions with the demands of English court and aristocratic patronage.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Willem Wissing, known in England as William Wissing (1656 – 10 September 1687), was a Dutch portrait artist who worked in England.


















