Who painted Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman was painted by Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy in 1632.

Where can I see Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman is held by J. Paul Getty Museum.

What movement is Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Young Woman?

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

Artwork

Portrait of a Young Woman

Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy , 1632

Portrait of a Young Woman is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy. It dates from 1632 and is held in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum.

About this work

Overview

Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy, a Dutch painter of Flemish descent active in the early 1600s, completed this oil portrait in 1632. The work exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age’s focus on individual likenesses and is presently part of the J. Paul Getty Museum’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas presents a young woman dressed in dark garments accented by a gold‑embroidered bodice and a patterned skirt. A white ruffled collar and lace cuffs frame her face, which is turned slightly toward the viewer’s right. She holds a fan in her right hand and wears a ring on her left, suggesting modest status and personal adornment.

Technique & Style

Pickenoy employs a chiaroscuro approach, using deep shadows to model the figure and give it a three‑dimensional presence against a muted background. The delicate rendering of lace, embroidery, and the fan demonstrates his skill in texture, while the restrained palette reflects the sober aesthetic typical of Dutch portraiture of the period.

History & Provenance

Since its creation in 1632, the painting has passed through several private hands before being acquired by the J. Paul Getty Museum, where it remains on display. Documentation of its ownership is limited, but its inclusion in the museum’s collection underscores its relevance to the study of early‑17th‑century Dutch portraiture.

Context

The portrait emerges from a time when Dutch artists increasingly emphasized realistic representation and individual identity. Pickenoy, working in Amsterdam, contributed to this trend, producing works that balanced modesty with subtle indications of wealth, as seen in the embroidered details and the inclusion of personal accessories such as the fan and ring.

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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.