Who painted Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman was painted by Ferdinand Bol in 1656.

Where can I see Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Portrait of a Woman

Ferdinand Bol , 1656

Portrait of a Woman is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Ferdinand Bol. It dates from 1656 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Ferdinand Bol’s *Portrait of a Woman* (1656) is an oil painting that exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age’s focus on refined portraiture. Executed in the mid‑17th century, the work presents a seated female sitter in a modest yet dignified pose, rendered with the compositional balance typical of Bol’s mature period.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is depicted in a high‑collared dress of dark material, accented by a white lace ruff. Her hands rest calmly on her lap, and she gazes directly at the viewer with a composed expression, suggesting a quiet confidence and social standing appropriate to the era’s bourgeois portrait conventions.

Technique & Style

Bol employs chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated facial features and clothing against a deep, shadowed backdrop of a dark curtain. This handling of light creates a three‑dimensional effect, emphasizing the texture of the fabric and the subtle modeling of the face, hallmarks of the Rembrandt-influenced training Bol received.

History & Provenance

A pupil of Rembrandt, Bol developed a reputation for portraits and historical scenes. This particular canvas entered the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of 17th‑century Dutch art, reflecting the museum’s commitment to preserving works from this prolific period.