Artwork
Portrait of Susanna Pietersdr Oostdijk (b. 1597)
Portrait of Susanna Pietersdr Oostdijk (b. 1597) is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Jansz. Westerbaen de Oude. It dates from 1647 and is held in the collection of the Mauritshuis. Jan Jansz.
About this work
Overview
Jan Jansz. Westerbaen de Oude painted this oil portrait in 1647, presenting Susanna Pietersdr Oostdijk, born in 1597. The work is part of the Mauritshuis collection in The Hague. The composition centers on a seated woman whose direct gaze engages the viewer, conveying a restrained presence typical of mid‑seventeenth‑century Dutch portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, Susanna van Oostdijk, is shown with a solemn expression, her hair neatly gathered beneath a modest white head covering. The emphasis on her attire, especially the stark white ruffled collar, suggests a focus on social status and propriety, reflecting contemporary ideals of modesty and refinement for women of her standing.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the portrait employs a limited palette of deep, muted tones that recede into a dark background, allowing the luminous white of the collar to dominate the visual field. Westerbaen’s handling of light creates a subtle chiaroscuro, highlighting the texture of the fabric while preserving the sitter’s facial features with restrained detail.
History & Provenance
Since its creation in the mid‑1600s, the painting has remained in the Netherlands, eventually entering the collection of the Mauritshuis. The museum acquired the work as part of its effort to represent Dutch portraiture of the Golden Age, where it now serves as a documented example of Westerbaen’s later output.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Jansz. Westerbaen de Oude (1600–1686) was an artist, born in The Hague.
