Artwork
Portrait of an Old Woman
Portrait of an Old Woman is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1654 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
This oil painting, created in 1654, is the work of Rembrandt van Rijn, a prominent artist of the Dutch Golden Age. It is one of around three hundred paintings he produced during his career.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts an elderly woman with a serious expression, dressed in a dark hooded cloak and white collar. Her hands are placed on her lap, and the dark background emphasizes her face and attire.
Technique & Style
The artist employed chiaroscuro, using a strong light source from the side to accentuate the subject's facial features, wrinkles, and skin texture. Thick paint is used in certain areas, such as the hands and collar, to convey depth and dimensionality.
History & Provenance
The painting is now part of the State Hermitage Museum's collection.
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.
