Where can I see An Old Woman Bleeding a Young Woman, known as 'The Bloodletting'?

An Old Woman Bleeding a Young Woman, known as 'The Bloodletting' is held by Mauritshuis.

What movement is An Old Woman Bleeding a Young Woman, known as 'The Bloodletting'?

An Old Woman Bleeding a Young Woman, known as 'The Bloodletting' is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of An Old Woman Bleeding a Young Woman, known as 'The Bloodletting'?

Museum-quality prints of An Old Woman Bleeding a Young Woman, known as 'The Bloodletting' are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

An Old Woman Bleeding a Young Woman, known as 'The Bloodletting'

Quirijn van Brekelenkam , 1660

An Old Woman Bleeding a Young Woman, known as 'The Bloodletting' is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Quirijn van Brekelenkam. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Mauritshuis.

About this work

Overview

An Old Woman Bleeding a Young Woman, or 'The Bloodletting', is a 1660 Dutch Golden Age painting by Quirijn van Brekelenkam, depicting a commonplace medical procedure of its time in a domestic setting.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays a moment of bloodletting, a then-common medical practice, focusing on the quiet, trusting interaction between an older practitioner and a young patient, conveying intimacy and everyday life in 17th-century Netherlands.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil paint, the work exemplifies the refined, detailed style of the fijnschilders, with meticulous attention to texture and a thoughtful use of light and shadow to create a contemplative atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created during van Brekelenkam's activity in Leiden, where he trained under Gerard Dou, the painting is now part of the Mauritshuis collection, reflecting its significance within Dutch Baroque genre scenes.