Who painted An Old Jewish Doctor Advising a Woman?

An Old Jewish Doctor Advising a Woman was painted by Cornelis Pietersz Bega in 1655.

Where can I see An Old Jewish Doctor Advising a Woman?

An Old Jewish Doctor Advising a Woman is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is An Old Jewish Doctor Advising a Woman?

An Old Jewish Doctor Advising a Woman is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

An Old Jewish Doctor Advising a Woman

Cornelis Pietersz Bega , 1655

An Old Jewish Doctor Advising a Woman is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Cornelis Pietersz Bega. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Cornelis Pietersz Bega, a Haarlem‑based painter active in the mid‑17th century, executed the oil work titled *An Old Jewish Doctor Advising a Woman* in 1655. The composition presents a quiet interior scene in which an elderly physician engages in counsel with a standing woman. The painting belongs to the Dutch Golden Age, reflecting the period’s interest in everyday domestic narratives.

Subject & Meaning

The central figures are an aged Jewish doctor, distinguished by a flowing white beard, and a woman who appears to be seeking his advice. The doctor holds a book and a candle, suggesting a scholarly or medical consultation, while the woman listens attentively. The interaction hints at themes of knowledge transmission, care, and perhaps the social role of physicians within a private setting.

Technique & Style

Bega employs strong chiaroscuro, allowing light from the candle to illuminate the faces and table, while the surrounding space recedes into shadow.

Bega employs strong chiaroscuro, allowing light from the candle to illuminate the faces and table, while the surrounding space recedes into shadow. This contrast creates depth and focuses the viewer’s eye on the exchange between the two characters. The brushwork is detailed in the facial expressions and textures of the garments, characteristic of Bega’s genre scenes that blend realism with a modest theatricality.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst. Bega, the son of a sculptor‑goldsmith and a pupil of Adriaen van Ostade, was known for small‑scale genre works that often depicted intimate domestic moments. The work has remained in public holdings, providing insight into the artist’s later period and the broader Dutch interest in portraying everyday professional encounters.