Who painted Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman was painted by Thomas de Keyser in 1631.

Where can I see Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Young Woman?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Young Woman are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of a Young Woman

Thomas de Keyser , 1631

Portrait of a Young Woman is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Thomas de Keyser. It dates from 1631 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Thomas de Keyser’s *Portrait of a Young Woman* (1631) is an oil painting on canvas that resides in Copenhagen’s Statens Museum for Kunst. Executed during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, the work exemplifies the artist’s reputation as the leading portraitist in the Netherlands before the rise of Rembrandt in the mid‑1630s.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is depicted seated on a plush red velvet cushion, wearing a dark, flowing dress with a stark white collar and ruffled cuffs. A modest gold ring adorns her hand, and a small bust rests on a pedestal to her right. Her composed gaze and serene expression convey a sense of quiet dignity, typical of early‑17th‑century Dutch portraiture.

Technique & Style

De Keyser renders the textiles with meticulous attention to the play of light on folds, emphasizing the texture of the velvet cushion and the sheen of the gown’s fabric. The background is subdued, allowing the rich reds of the curtain and cushion to frame the figure, while subtle chiaroscuro models her face and hands.

History & Provenance

Created in 1631, the painting entered the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, Denmark’s national gallery, where it remains on display. Its provenance prior to acquisition by the museum is not extensively documented, but the work has been consistently attributed to de Keyser since the 19th century.

Context

At the time of its execution, de Keyser was also engaged in the trade of Belgian bluestone and stone masonry, reflecting the multifaceted careers of many Dutch artists. His portraiture catered to the affluent mercantile class, offering a visual record of their social standing before the emergence of Rembrandt’s more dramatic approach.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Thomas de Keyser

Thomas de Keyser (c. 1596 – 1667) was a Dutch portrait painter and a dealer in Belgium bluestone and stone mason. He was the most in-demand portrait painter in the Netherlands until the 1630s, when Rembrandt eclipsed…