Who painted Portrait of a Lady?

Portrait of a Lady was painted by Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy in 1631.

Where can I see Portrait of a Lady?

Portrait of a Lady is held by National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina.

What movement is Portrait of a Lady?

Portrait of a Lady is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Lady?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Lady are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of a Lady

Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy , 1631

Portrait of a Lady is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy. It dates from 1631 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina.

About this work

Overview

Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenow, a Dutch painter active in the early seventeenth century, executed the oil on canvas titled *Portrait of a Lady* circa 1631. The work presents a half‑length view of a woman, rendered with a restrained palette and a dark, non‑descriptive backdrop that isolates the sitter’s face.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on the sitter’s head and shoulders, her gaze directed toward the viewer with a composed, serious demeanor. A white cap and black veil conceal her hair, while a crisp white collar frames her features, suggesting modesty and the fashion conventions of a Dutch woman of the period.

Technique & Style

Pickenow employs chiaroscuro, using a deep, shadowed background to accentuate the illuminated facial plane. The oil medium allows for fine modelling of skin tones and the subtle texture of the fabric, achieving a realistic representation that aligns with the Dutch Golden Age’s emphasis on detailed portraiture.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires, where it remains on display. Its attribution to Pickenow rests on stylistic parallels with his known works and documentary evidence linking the artist to portrait commissions in the early 1630s.

Context

Pickenow, likely trained under Cornelis van der Voort, worked within a network of Dutch portraitists that included his own pupil, Bartholomeus van der Helst. The work reflects the period’s interest in capturing individual identity through restrained yet precise visual language, typical of the Dutch middle‑class portrait market.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy

Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy (10 January 1588 – 1653/1656) was a Dutch painter of Flemish origin. Pickenoy was possibly a pupil of Cornelis van der Voort and presumably Bartholomeus van der Helst was his own pupil.