Who painted Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman was painted by Nicolaes Maes in 1690.

Where can I see Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Portrait of a Young Woman?

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

Artwork

Portrait of a Young Woman

Nicolaes Maes , 1690

Portrait of a Young Woman is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes Maes. It dates from 1690 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum. Executed in 1690, this oil on canvas presents a young woman rendered with the restrained elegance typical of the Dutch Golden Age.

About this work

Overview

Executed in 1690, this oil on canvas presents a young woman rendered with the restrained elegance typical of the Dutch Golden Age. The composition centers the sitter, whose gaze meets the viewer, set against a muted backdrop that accentuates her presence. The work exemplifies the mature period of a painter who transitioned from genre scenes to refined portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The figure wears a brown dress complemented by a pink shawl, her dark hair styled in a modest fashion that conveys both modesty and social standing. Her arms are crossed, and her direct stare creates an intimate dialogue, inviting contemplation of personal identity within the conventions of 17th‑century Dutch portraiture.

Technique & Style

The artist employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing the dark background to recede while the illuminated flesh and textiles emerge with delicate modeling. A partially drawn curtain frames the sitter, a compositional device the painter favored in later works to suggest depth and to focus attention on the subject’s features and attire.

History & Provenance

Created by a Dutch painter who trained under Rembrandt and later became Amsterdam’s foremost portraitist, the canvas eventually entered the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. Its presence in the museum reflects the broader appreciation of Dutch portraiture within European collections since the 18th century.

Artist & collection

Artist

Nicolaes Maes

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.