Who painted Peasant Woman with Basket, Facing Left?

Peasant Woman with Basket, Facing Left was painted by Israel Henriet in 1626.

Where can I see Peasant Woman with Basket, Facing Left?

Peasant Woman with Basket, Facing Left is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Peasant Woman with Basket, Facing Left?

Peasant Woman with Basket, Facing Left is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Peasant Woman with Basket, Facing Left

Israel Henriet , 1626

Peasant Woman with Basket, Facing Left is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Israel Henriet. It dates from 1626 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Israel Henriet’s 1626 etching titled *Peasant Woman with Basket, Facing Left* presents a solitary figure rendered on laid paper. The composition captures a woman in modest, antiquated attire, holding a basket at her hip and a cloth draped over her arm, her gaze turned to the left. The work exemplifies early‑17th‑century printmaking, offering a concise glimpse into everyday life.

Subject & Meaning

The image focuses on a rural woman, her simple clothing and headscarf indicating a lower‑social status. The basket and cloth suggest domestic tasks, while the relaxed posture conveys a moment of pause. By emphasizing ordinary labor, the etching reflects contemporary interest in portraying the lives of common people rather than idealized figures.

Technique & Style

Henriet employed a traditional etching process, incising lines into a metal plate that, when inked, produced the characteristic rough, textured marks seen on the print. The lines are swift and slightly irregular, lending a spontaneous quality. The laid paper bears a faint watermark grid, a typical support for prints of this period, enhancing the work’s tactile presence.

History & Provenance

Created in 1626, the print belongs to the early phase of Henriet’s career, a period when Dutch and Flemish artists were expanding the reach of print media. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work has appeared in several catalogues of 17th‑century etchings, indicating its circulation among collectors of early modern prints.