Artwork

Portrait of an Old Lady

Portrait of an Old Lady, by Jan Maurits Quinkhard, oil
Portrait of an Old Lady, by Jan Maurits Quinkhard, oil

Portrait of an Old Lady is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Jan Maurits Quinkhard. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

About this work

Overview

Jan Maurits Quinkhard, an artist active in the Dutch Republic, painted the work known as *Portrait of an Old Lady* in the year 1800. Executed in oil on canvas, the piece exemplifies the neoclassical approach to portraiture and is presently part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas presents an elderly woman with light, loosely curled hair, dressed in a dark jacket over a white lace shirt and a deep‑green shawl. Her right arm is folded, the hand resting on the shawl, while her face bears a sober, unsmiling expression, inviting contemplation of age and dignity.

Technique & Style

Quinkhard employs a restrained palette and a pronounced chiaroscuro effect, allowing the dark background to recede and the figure to emerge with three‑dimensional clarity. The oil medium provides a smooth, detailed surface that captures the texture of lace, fabric folds, and the subtle modeling of the sitter’s features.

History & Provenance

Created at the turn of the nineteenth century, the portrait reflects the neoclassical taste for restrained elegance prevalent in Dutch art circles. After changing hands over the ensuing decades, it entered the National Gallery of Ireland, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s representation of early‑modern portraiture.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jan Maurits Quinkhard

Artist

Jan Maurits Quinkhard

Jan Maurits Quinkhard (28 January 1688 – 11 November 1772) was an 18th-century painter and print designer from the Dutch Republic.