Artwork
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jacob Adriaensz Backer. It dates from 1636 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Jacob Adriaensz Backer, a Dutch painter of the early 1600s, executed the oil work titled Portrait of a Woman in 1636. The canvas is held by the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it forms part of the museum’s Dutch Golden Age holdings.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a seated female figure within a dim interior. She is dressed in a dark fur mantle trimmed with lace, a high white collar, and a black hat. Her hands rest calmly on her lap, and her gaze conveys a restrained, solemn demeanor.
Technique & Style
Backer employs a pronounced contrast of light and shadow, allowing the woman's face to emerge from the surrounding gloom. This chiaroscuro effect, typical of Dutch portraiture, emphasizes the facial features and creates a sense of three‑dimensional presence.
History & Provenance
Created in 1636, the painting entered the Statens Museum for Kunst’s collection in the 20th century, though earlier ownership records remain sparse. Its presence in a national museum underscores its relevance to the study of Dutch portraiture.
Context
Backer’s career was shaped by the artistic currents of his time, drawing inspiration from contemporaries such as Wybrand de Geest, Peter Paul Rubens, and Abraham Bloemaert. The work reflects the period’s interest in realistic representation and the subtle psychological portrayal of sitters.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacob Adriaensz Backer (1608 – 27 August 1651) was a Dutch Golden Age painter. He produced about 140 paintings in twenty years, including portraits, religious subjects, and mythological paintings. In his style, he was…
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