Who painted Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas?

Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas was painted by Ferdinand Bol in 1640.

Where can I see Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas?

Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas?

Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas

Ferdinand Bol , 1640

Portrait of an Old Lady, Possibly Elisabeth Bas is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Ferdinand Bol. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

This oil painting, attributed to Ferdinand Bol, depicts an elderly woman, traditionally identified as the businesswoman Elisabeth Bas.

This oil painting, attributed to Ferdinand Bol, depicts an elderly woman, traditionally identified as the businesswoman Elisabeth Bas. Created in the 1640s, it is a notable example of Dutch Golden Age portraiture. The sitter is presented with a serious demeanor, dressed in period attire, and occupies a somber, undefined space. It is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, where its subject's identity remains a topic of scholarly discussion.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays an older woman whose identity has long been associated with Elisabeth Bas, a prominent Dutch businesswoman, although this attribution is now debated. The portrait was commissioned by Maria Rey, believed to be Bas's granddaughter. The subject's stern expression and rigid posture convey a sense of gravitas. She holds a white, somewhat torn cloth, possibly a handkerchief, adding a subtle detail to her otherwise austere presentation.

Technique & Style

Ferdinand Bol, a painter of the Dutch Golden Age, rendered this portrait in oil. The composition emphasizes the sitter through a stark contrast between her pale skin, white cap, and prominent millstone collar against the dark, unadorned background and her dark dress. The artist's use of light highlights her serious facial features and the texture of the white cloth in her hands, creating a focused and intimate portrayal within a shadowy setting.

History & Provenance

This work entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, where it is known as "Elisabeth Bas" despite ongoing scholarly doubt regarding the sitter's precise identity. The painting is documented as a commission from Maria Rey, who was reportedly the granddaughter of Elisabeth Bas. Its attribution to Ferdinand Bol, a pupil of Rembrandt, places it within the significant artistic output of the mid-17th century Netherlands.