Artwork
Portrait of a Young Woman with a Fan
Portrait of a Young Woman with a Fan is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1633 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This work serves as a companion piece to his *Portrait of a Man Rising from His Chair*, suggesting they were commissioned as a pair.
Rembrandt van Rijn completed *Portrait of a Young Woman with a Fan* in 1633, an oil painting depicting a seated female figure. This work serves as a companion piece to his *Portrait of a Man Rising from His Chair*, suggesting they were commissioned as a pair. The painting is currently housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It exemplifies the artist's early Amsterdam period, showcasing his developing skill in capturing individual likeness.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait features a woman dressed in a dark, understated gown, distinguished by a wide white lace collar and similarly trimmed, voluminous sleeves. She holds a closed fan, a common accessory of the era, in one hand. A subtle gold locket hangs from her belt, providing a small detail of personal adornment. Her hair is styled loosely, framing a face that is the focal point of the composition.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt employs a dark, unadorned background, which serves to emphasize the sitter's form and features. The artist's masterful use of light creates a striking contrast, illuminating the woman's face, her elaborate lace collar, and her hands. This dramatic interplay of light and shadow, characteristic of *chiaroscuro*, lends a sense of depth and three-dimensionality to the figure, making her appear to emerge from the canvas.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669), known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
