Artwork
Old Woman Reading
Old Woman Reading is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Lievens. It dates from 1622 and is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jan Lievens’ *Old Woman Reading* is an oil painting executed in 1622 during the Dutch Golden Age. The work presents a solitary, elderly figure absorbed in a book, set against a dark interior space. It is part of the permanent collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and exemplifies the period’s interest in intimate, genre‑type portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is an aged woman dressed in a black hat, a white fur collar with distinctive black spots, and red sleeves that glimpse from beneath the garment. She holds an open book with both hands, suggesting quiet contemplation or literacy in later life. The surrounding carpet and modest furnishings reinforce a domestic, private atmosphere.
Technique & Style
Lievens employs a chiaroscuro scheme, using strong contrasts of light and shadow to model the woman's face and the textured fur. The illumination catches the pages of the book, drawing attention to the act of reading. Fine brushwork renders the plush fur and patterned carpet, while the dark background recedes, focusing the viewer on the illuminated figure.
History & Provenance
Born in Leiden in 1607, Lievens trained in Amsterdam under Pieter Lastman alongside Rembrandt, with whom he shared a studio until 1631. *Old Woman Reading* reflects his early mature period. The painting entered the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s collection in the 20th century, where it remains on display as a representative example of Lievens’ early oeuvre.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Lievens (24 October 1607 – 4 June 1674) was a Dutch Golden Age painter who was associated with his close contemporary Rembrandt, a year older, in the early parts of their careers.
