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Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas by Ferdinand Bol

Ferdinand Bol · 1640-01-01

This striking work, "Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas" by Ferdinand Bol, circa 1640, is housed at the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. It captures a moment of quiet dignity, even as the sitter's true identity has become a subject of scholarly debate.

The painting emphasizes her strong, direct gaze and the intricate details of her hands. The crumpled linen handkerchief she holds offers a subtle hint of vulnerability amidst her otherwise austere presentation.

Commissioned by her granddaughter, Maria Rey, this portrait was intended as a family record. Bol, a prominent pupil of Rembrandt, expertly uses light and shadow to bring her forth from the dark background, highlighting her strong features and the textures of her attire. While her name is now uncertain, her powerful presence continues to resonate.

What stories do you imagine her hands could tell?

Details

Her granddaughter commissioned the portrait, as a family record.
Her granddaughter commissioned the portrait, as a family record.
Look at her hands, so carefully rendered.
Look at her hands, so carefully rendered.
The elaborate, crisp ruff emphasizes her social standing and the fashion of the era, creating a striking contrast with her face.
The elaborate, crisp ruff emphasizes her social standing and the fashion of the era, creating a striking contrast with her face.
Transcript

This woman, painted in the 1640s, was a Dutch businesswoman. Her granddaughter commissioned the portrait, as a family record. But now, her identity is a scholarly mystery. Yet her strong presence remains, centuries later. Look at her hands, so carefully rendered. She holds a simple linen handkerchief, worn with age. The artist, Ferdinand Bol, was a pupil of Rembrandt.