Artwork
Portrait of Oopjen Coppit
Portrait of Oopjen Coppit is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1634 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1634 by Rembrandt van Rijn, this oil painting portrays Oopjen Coppit, a Dutch woman of the Golden Age. It forms one half of a marital pair, the companion piece showing her husband. The work belongs to the Rijksmuseum’s collection, exemplifying the period’s portraiture conventions.
Subject & Meaning
Oopjen is presented in a dignified stance, dressed in black with a white lace collar and cuffs, her hair gathered under a modest headband. The inclusion of luxurious accessories—a gold chain, necklace, earrings, and bracelet—signals her social standing and the era’s emphasis on status through attire.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt employs a restrained palette, contrasting the dark background with the luminous whites of lace and the gleam of gold jewelry. The brushwork renders the fabric’s texture and the delicate bow at the waist, while the subtle modeling of light defines the sitter’s features with characteristic depth.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the portrait has remained in Dutch hands, eventually entering the Rijksmuseum’s holdings. It has been documented as part of Rembrandt’s extensive oeuvre, which includes roughly three hundred paintings and numerous etchings and drawings produced over his career.
Context
The painting reflects the conventions of 17th‑century Dutch portraiture, where married couples were often commemorated in paired works. The emphasis on refined clothing, modest pose, and restrained background aligns with contemporary expectations of propriety and wealth.
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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.
