Who painted Old woman with a jug in her hand?

Old woman with a jug in her hand was painted by Unknown in 1545.

Where can I see Old woman with a jug in her hand?

Old woman with a jug in her hand is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Old woman with a jug in her hand?

Old woman with a jug in her hand is associated with Mannerism.

Artwork

Old woman with a jug in her hand

Unknown , 1545

Old woman with a jug in her hand is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Unknown. It dates from 1545 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The canvas depicts an elderly woman clutching a jug, her weathered face turned downward.

About this work

Overview

The canvas depicts an elderly woman clutching a jug, her weathered face turned downward. She wears a green robe and a white head covering, standing before a wooden door. A second figure, dressed in red and black, appears in the background near a slightly open door, lending the scene a quiet, contemplative mood.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure’s downcast gaze and the presence of the jug suggest themes of domestic labor or ritual offering, while the muted palette emphasizes age and modesty. The secondary woman, partially obscured, may represent a familial or communal counterpart, reinforcing the painting’s focus on everyday life and the introspective moments of ordinary people.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the work employs a restrained color scheme dominated by greens, whites, reds, and blacks. Soft modeling of the elderly woman’s wrinkles and the subtle play of light on the wooden doors reveal a careful handling of chiaroscuro, while the overall composition remains straightforward, avoiding elaborate background details.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. Its acquisition details are not specified, but its presence in a major European institution indicates recognition of its cultural and artistic value within the museum’s holdings of genre works.

Context

The work belongs to a tradition of genre painting that foregrounds ordinary subjects, often highlighting the dignity of daily tasks. Its somber tone aligns with 17th‑century European artistic trends that favored realistic portrayals of age, labor, and the quiet moments of domestic interiors.