Artwork
Portrait of a Young Woman
Portrait of a Young Woman is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Arent de Gelder. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
Arent de Gelder’s *Portrait of a Young Woman* (1696) is an oil painting that belongs to the Dutch Golden Age portrait tradition. The work is part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection and presents a single female sitter rendered in a calm, serious demeanor.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a young woman with light brown hair beneath a wide‑brimmed hat, dressed in a pale garment trimmed with a fur collar and a modest necklace. Her hands rest on a dark surface, and her expression conveys restrained composure, typical of Dutch portraiture’s focus on dignified presence.
Technique & Style
De Gelder employs soft, layered brushwork to convey the texture of the hat and fur collar, while a dark, unadorned background isolates the figure. The handling of light and shadow reflects a chiaroscuro approach, emphasizing the facial features and creating a sense of depth reminiscent of Rembrandt’s late portrait style.
History & Provenance
Born in 1645, Arent de Geller was the sole Dutch painter to extend Rembrandt’s late manner into the early 18th century. He completed this portrait in 1696; the painting later entered the Art Institute of Chicago, where it remains on view.
Context
Created during the waning years of the Dutch Golden Age, the portrait illustrates the period’s continued interest in individualized, realistic representation. De Geller’s adherence to Rembrandt’s techniques situates the work within a lineage of Dutch masters who emphasized psychological depth and dramatic lighting.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Aert de Gelder (Dutch: ; October 26, 1645 – August 27, 1727) was a Dutch painter, the only Dutch artist to paint in the tradition of Rembrandt's late style into the 18th century.
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