Who painted Portrait of a Woman holding a Book?

Portrait of a Woman holding a Book was painted by Jacob Adriaensz Backer in 1639.

Where can I see Portrait of a Woman holding a Book?

Portrait of a Woman holding a Book is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is Portrait of a Woman holding a Book?

Portrait of a Woman holding a Book is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Portrait of a Woman holding a Book

Jacob Adriaensz Backer , 1639

Portrait of a Woman holding a Book is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jacob Adriaensz Backer. It dates from 1639 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Jacob Adriaensz Backer, a Dutch painter of the early 1630s, executed the work titled *Portrait of a Woman Holding a Book* in 1639. Rendered in oil on canvas, the piece is part of the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin. It belongs to the tradition of 17th‑century portraiture that emphasizes individual presence through restrained composition.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas presents a seated woman dressed in a dark gown with a prominent white ruff. She holds a modestly sized book in one hand and a pair of spectacles in the other, gazing directly at the viewer. The inclusion of reading material and glasses suggests literacy and intellectual engagement, qualities that were increasingly valued in the Dutch Republic.

Technique & Style

Backer employs a strong chiaroscuro effect, allowing the illumination to fall on the sitter’s face and hands while the surrounding space recedes into deep shadow. This contrast heightens the three‑dimensionality of the figure and draws attention to the delicate textures of the fabric and the reflective surfaces of the spectacles.

History & Provenance

After its creation, the portrait entered private collections before being acquired by the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin, where it remains on display. Documentation traces its ownership through several European dealers in the 18th and 19th centuries, confirming its continuous appreciation as a fine example of Dutch portraiture.

Context

Backer’s career was shaped by the influence of contemporaries such as Wybrand de Geest, Peter Paul Rubens, and Abraham Bloemaert. While he is known for religious and mythological subjects, his portraiture reflects the Dutch Golden Age’s focus on middle‑class patrons who desired realistic, individualized representations.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jacob Adriaensz Backer

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…