Artwork
An Old Woman
An Old Woman is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerrit Dou. It dates from 1651 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
An Old Woman is a 1651 oil painting by Gerrit Dou, a prominent figure of the Dutch Golden Age. Characterized by meticulous detail and subtle lighting, it typifies the refined, intimate style of the Leiden fijnschilders group to which Dou belonged.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents a close-up portrait of an elderly woman, her face and shoulders set against a dark, blurred background that emphasizes her as the sole subject. Her attire, consisting of a pale yellow head covering and a deep red garment with a dark collar, is depicted with precise attention to detail.
Technique & Style
Dou employed a smooth, layered painting technique to achieve nuanced coloration and texture. The work showcases subtle chiaroscuro, with delicate shadows and light dancing across the subject’s skin to create a sense of realism and depth.
History & Provenance
Created in 1651 by Gerrit Dou, a student of Rembrandt, the painting is now part of the collection at the Statens Museum for Kunst.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gerrit Dou (pronounced ; 7 April 1613 – 9 February 1675), also known as Gerard Douw or Dow, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, whose small, highly polished paintings are typical of the Leiden fijnschilders.
