Who painted An Old Woman?

An Old Woman was painted by Unknown in 1650.

Where can I see An Old Woman?

An Old Woman is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

An Old Woman by Unknown (1650) — Meaning & Museum

About this work

The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth, is evident in the painting.

The image shows a framed painting of an old woman, with a color chart and ruler overlay. The painting is in a gold frame, and the woman is wearing a white headscarf and a red top. She is looking to the right, and her face is partially in shadow.

The color chart and ruler suggest that the image is being used for analysis or restoration purposes. The chart includes a range of colors, from black to white, and the ruler is marked with measurements in centimeters and inches.

The painting appears to be a portrait of an elderly woman, possibly from the 17th century. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth, is evident in the painting. To learn more about this technique, you can explore the work of artist 1634_person.

Overview

An Old Woman, attributed to the artist known as 1634_person, dates to around 1650. The portrait is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed in a gilded frame. The work presents a solitary figure, rendered in a style that emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas depicts an elderly woman dressed in a white headscarf and a red garment, her gaze directed toward the viewer’s right. The partial shading of her face suggests a contemplative mood, while the modest attire hints at the social standing of the sitter in a 17th‑century context.

Technique & Style

The painting employs chiaroscuro, creating a pronounced contrast between illuminated areas and deep shadows to model the figure’s form. The palette is restrained, with muted earth tones punctuated by the vivid red of the woman’s top, reinforcing the three‑dimensional effect.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1650, the work entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date. Documentation links the piece directly to 1634_person, though details of its ownership before acquisition remain limited.

Context

Portraits of older individuals were relatively uncommon in the mid‑17th century, where youthful subjects predominated. This image therefore offers insight into contemporary attitudes toward age and the representation of everyday people within the period’s visual culture.