Artwork
Portrait of a young woman
Portrait of a young woman is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Anthonie Palamedesz. It dates from 1654 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
An oil painting executed in 1654 by Dutch artist Anthonie Palamedesz portrays a young woman against an unadorned dark backdrop. The composition centers the sitter, whose serene expression and modest smile convey a quiet presence. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection, where it is displayed among other 17th‑century Dutch portraits.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is presented in contemporary attire, featuring a white ruff collar, a black gown, and a gold ornamental headpiece. She holds a small, flat object—interpreted as either a fan or a letter—suggesting a moment of personal contemplation or correspondence. The restrained gesture and calm demeanor reflect the modest virtues often emphasized in Dutch portraiture of the period.
Technique & Style
Palamedesz employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing light to illuminate the woman’s face and the crisp edges of her collar while the surrounding darkness recedes. Smooth, controlled brushwork renders the delicate folds of the dress and the sheen of the gold headpiece, creating a tactile sense of texture without overt detail.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑17th century, the portrait entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings as part of its Dutch Golden Age collection. The museum’s acquisition records trace the work’s provenance through several private owners before its inclusion in the national collection, where it remains a representative example of Palamedesz’s portraiture.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Anthonie Palamedesz., also Antonie Palamedesz, birth name Antonius Stevens, was a Dutch portrait and genre painter.
