Who painted Portrait of an Elderly Woman?

Portrait of an Elderly Woman was painted by Nicolas Neufchatel in 1550.

Where can I see Portrait of an Elderly Woman?

Portrait of an Elderly Woman is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Portrait of an Elderly Woman?

Portrait of an Elderly Woman is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

Portrait of an Elderly Woman

Nicolas Neufchatel , 1550

Portrait of an Elderly Woman is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Nicolas Neufchatel. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1550, the Portrait of an Elderly Woman is an oil painting by Flemish artist Nicolas Neufchatel, who spent much of his career working in Germany. The work is part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection and exemplifies the northern Renaissance focus on detailed, individualized portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is depicted as an older woman dressed in a dark, sumptuous robe with a high collar and a patterned hat. She holds a small, unidentified object, a common device in 16th‑century portraiture that may allude to personal status, piety, or domestic activity.

Technique & Style

Neufchatel employs a restrained palette and careful modeling of light, creating a subtle chiaroscuro that gives the face and hands a three‑dimensional presence against a plain, dark background. The richly patterned belt in red and gold adds a touch of visual contrast and suggests wealth.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the State Hermitage Museum’s holdings at an unspecified date, joining a broader collection of northern Renaissance works. Its attribution to Neufchatel, recognized as a leading portraitist by the 1560s, rests on stylistic analysis and documented activity in German courts.

Context

During the mid‑16th century, Flemish artists such as Neufchatel were sought after by German patrons for their skill in rendering texture and character. The portrait reflects contemporary fashions—a high‑collared robe, elaborate hat, and decorative belt—typical of affluent urban women of the period.

Artist & collection

Artist

Nicolas Neufchatel

Nicolas Neufchatel or Neufchâtel (c. 1527 – c. 1590), known as Lucidel, was a Flemish painter and draughtsman. He worked in Germany and was noted as one of the leading portrait painters of the 1560s.