Who painted Portrait of a lady with a folding fan?

Portrait of a lady with a folding fan was painted by Hendrick ten Oever in 1696.

Where can I see Portrait of a lady with a folding fan?

Portrait of a lady with a folding fan is held by National Museum in Warsaw.

What movement is Portrait of a lady with a folding fan?

Portrait of a lady with a folding fan is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Portrait of a lady with a folding fan

Hendrick ten Oever , 1696

Portrait of a lady with a folding fan is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Hendrick ten Oever. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.

About this work

Overview

Hendrick ten Oever’s 1696 oil on canvas, titled Portrait of a Lady with a Folding Fan, is part of the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw. The work presents a single figure against an unadorned dark backdrop, allowing the sitter’s attire and gestures to dominate the visual field.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a woman dressed in a black gown trimmed with lace at the neckline and cuffs, her hair gathered back, and a ruffled collar framing her face. She holds a folded fan in her right hand while the left rests lightly on her chest, suggesting a poised, perhaps modest, demeanor typical of late‑17th‑century portraiture.

Technique & Style

Ten Oever employs a restrained chiaroscuro, using a deep, uniform background to isolate the figure. Light falls on the face, hands, and lace, rendering the textures of fabric and skin with subtle gradations. The overall effect is a clear, almost sculptural rendering that emphasizes form over decorative detail.

History & Provenance

Created in 1696, the portrait entered the National Museum in Warsaw’s holdings at an unspecified later date, where it has remained on display. Its provenance prior to museum acquisition is not documented in the available records, limiting knowledge of its original patron or ownership chain.

Context

The painting reflects the Dutch portrait tradition of the late 1600s, where modest interiors and controlled lighting were common. Ten Oever, active in the Dutch Republic, often painted members of the bourgeoisie, and the inclusion of a fan—a fashionable accessory—places the sitter within contemporary social conventions.