Portrait of a Young Woman with a Fan
Original title: Portrait of a Young Woman with a Fan
kurzbeschreibung
In 1633 Rembrandt van Rijn painted, in oil on canvas, the portrait of a young woman holding a fan in her right hand. She wears a black dress whose white lace collar stands out sharply. This work belongs among the portraits with which the artist established his reputation in the 1630s.
Description
A lace-trimmed fan rests in the sitter's right hand. She wears a black gown, from which a broad white lace collar and matching lace cuffs emerge. Her hair is swept up and falls in curls; earrings and a bracelet on her right wrist complete the jewelry. Against the dark background the figure stands out clearly; muted colors and the precise rendering of fabric and material define the image.
Context
By the 1630s Rembrandt was already in demand as a portraitist in Amsterdam when this likeness was made in 1633. Who the young woman was is not certain; perhaps it was a commission from the prosperous middle class. The Dutch Golden Age brought a growing demand for portraits among the rising bourgeoisie. Numerous portraits by the painter survive from this period of his career.
Impact
The contrast between dark ground and bright lace draws the eye to the sitter and gives the portrait a calm elegance. Her dignified posture feels unobtrusive and timeless. The precise description of fabrics and fan conveys an almost tactile closeness that invites lingering over the details.
Technique
Oil on canvas served as the support, a common practice of the time. Lace and jewelry are rendered with finely worked passages. The restrained coloring and soft transitions of the background accord with Rembrandt's approach to portraiture.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)