Who painted Old woman warming her hands at a fireplace?

Old woman warming her hands at a fireplace was painted by Justus van Bentum in 1700.

Where can I see Old woman warming her hands at a fireplace?

Old woman warming her hands at a fireplace is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Old woman warming her hands at a fireplace?

Old woman warming her hands at a fireplace is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Old woman warming her hands at a fireplace

Justus van Bentum , 1700

Old woman warming her hands at a fireplace is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Justus van Bentum. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Justus van Bentum’s oil painting, dated to around 1700, depicts a solitary elderly woman seated before a hearth. The work belongs to the genre‑scene tradition, focusing on everyday domestic moments rather than grand historical narratives. It is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, where it is displayed among other Baroque-era pieces.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is an aged woman wrapped in a dark mantle, her hands positioned close to the fire as if seeking warmth. The intimate setting suggests themes of comfort, age, and the simple rituals of daily life, inviting viewers to contemplate the quiet resilience of ordinary people in a modest interior.

Technique & Style

Van Bentum employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing the fire’s glow to illuminate the woman’s face and hands while the surrounding space recedes into shadow. The contrast of light and dark creates a focal point on the tactile gesture of warming, and the limited palette of muted tones reinforces the somber, contemplative mood.

History & Provenance

Created at the turn of the 18th century, the painting entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings through the museum’s early acquisitions of Dutch and Flemish genre works. Its provenance prior to museum ownership is not extensively documented, but its presence in the collection underscores the institution’s interest in representing everyday scenes from the Baroque period.

Artist & collection

Artist

Justus van Bentum

Justus van Bentum (1670–1727) was an artist, born in Leiden.

Museum

Bavarian State Painting Collections

Continue through works from the same source collection.