Artwork
Portrait of a young woman
Portrait of a young woman is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes Maes. It dates from 1665 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Nicolaes Maes painted the work in 1665, during the height of the Dutch Golden Age. Executed in oil on canvas, the piece is a portrait of a young woman and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is depicted with tightly curled hair, a thin pearl‑adorned headband, and a white pearl necklace. She wears a dark dress trimmed with a white collar and a modest black clasp, her gaze directed straight ahead, illuminated against a shadowed background that draws attention to her face.
Technique & Style
Maes employs the chiaroscuro typical of his Rembrandt training, using a dark surrounding to highlight the sitter’s illuminated features. The brushwork is smooth in the facial area, while the drapery and background are rendered with broader, less detailed strokes, creating a clear visual hierarchy.
History & Provenance
After completing his apprenticeship with Rembrandt in Dordrecht, Maes moved to Amsterdam where he became a prominent portraitist. This particular canvas entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it remains on display as an example of his early portrait work.
Context
The painting reflects the 17th‑century Dutch emphasis on individual likeness and modest elegance. Portraits of young women often included pearls and restrained attire, signalling status and virtue within the social conventions of the period.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolaes Maes (January 1634 – December 1693; buried 24 December 1693) was a Dutch painter known for his genre scenes, portraits, religious compositions and the occasional still life.
