Artwork

Portrait of a Woman

Portrait of a Woman, by Gerard ter Borch, unspecified, 1665
Portrait of a Woman, by Gerard ter Borch, unspecified, 1665

Portrait of a Woman is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Gerard ter Borch. It dates from 1665 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This painting is a portrait of a woman dressed in an elaborate black and white costume, created by Gerard ter Borch.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a woman from the Dutch elite, identifiable by her luxurious attire, though her identity remains unknown. Her calm demeanor is emphasized by the simplicity of the surrounding environment.

Technique & Style

Ter Borch's skillful rendering of fabrics is notable, particularly his depiction of satin, achieved through fine brushstrokes and subtle manipulation of paint. This technique creates a lifelike sheen, drawing attention to the subject's clothing.

Context

The painting reflects the artist's ability to capture the essence of his subjects within a restrained setting, highlighting their status through their attire.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Gerard ter Borch

Artist

Gerard ter Borch

Gerard ter Borch (Dutch: ; December 1617 – 8 December 1681), also known as Gerard Terburg (Dutch: ), was a Dutch Golden Age painter mainly of genre subjects.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.