Artwork
Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan van Ravesteyn. It dates from 1626 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Jan van Ravesteyn, a court painter active in The Hague during the Dutch Golden Age, completed the work titled *Portrait of a Lady* in 1626. The oil painting is part of the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst. Van Ravesteyn, whose full name was Jan Anthoniszoon van Ravesteyn, died in 1657.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas depicts an unidentified woman set against a deep, unlit background. She is dressed in a dark brown gown trimmed with gold lace, complemented by a prominent white ruff and matching cuffed sleeves. In her hand she holds a fan, a common accessory that signals refinement and social standing in early‑17th‑century Dutch portraiture.
Technique & Style
Van Ravesteyn employs a strong contrast of light and shadow, illuminating the sitter’s face and ruff while the surrounding space recedes into darkness. This chiaroscuro effect, typical of the period, serves to focus the viewer’s attention on the facial features and the texture of the fabric, enhancing the three‑dimensional presence of the figure.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the portrait has remained in private and institutional hands before entering the Statens Museum for Kunst’s holdings. The museum’s acquisition records place the painting within its Dutch Golden Age collection, where it is displayed alongside other works by court artists of the early 1600s.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Anthoniszoon (abbr. Anthonisz.) van Ravesteyn (c. 1572 – buried 21 June 1657) was a successful portrait painter to the Dutch court in The Hague.
