Artwork

Portrait of Sara de Haan, Widow of the Amsterdam Underwriter Cornelis Hartsen

Portrait of Sara de Haan, Widow of the Amsterdam Underwriter Cornelis Hartsen is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Jan Willem Pieneman. It dates from 1826 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

This oil painting, created in 1826 by Jan Willem Pieneman, is a portrait of Sara de Haan, the widow of Amsterdam underwriter Cornelis Hartsen. It is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Sara de Haan in mourning attire, wearing a black dress with a white lace collar and bonnet, and a pearl necklace. Her serious expression and direct gaze convey a sense of dignity and solemnity.

Technique & Style

Pieneman's use of oil paint achieves a high level of realism, capturing the subtleties of the subject's facial features, including her dark eyes and thin eyebrows, against a simple brown background.