Portrait of a Young Woman

Portrait of a Young Woman by Hans Holbein the Younger is an exquisite example of Northern Renaissance portraiture, executed between 1540 and 1545. Created using oil and gold on an oak panel, the painting reflects the meticulous detail and formal precision characteristic of Holbein’s mature style during his tenure as the court painter to Henry VIII. This precise dating places the work within the final, highly influential years of the artist’s prolific career in England.

The unidentified subject is presented frontally, her rich clothing and simple but costly jewelry indicating high social status within Tudor society. Younger masterfully utilizes the smooth surface of the oak panel to achieve a flawless finish, while the application of gold highlights in her attire or background details emphasizes the sitter's wealth and adds a sense of enduring monumentality to the work. This detailed rendering of women’s portraits became a hallmark of the artist's late career, contrasting sharp realism with a restrained elegance. The piece demonstrates Younger’s unparalleled ability to capture the psychological depth of his subjects with minimal reliance on overt symbolism.

As one of the most celebrated examples of German Renaissance art held outside Europe, the piece is a significant part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's permanent collection. The use of the stable oil and gold on oak medium has ensured the longevity of this exceptional work. Due to its age and historical importance, high-resolution images of Portrait of a Young Woman are often found in the public domain, making quality prints and reproductions widely available for study and appreciation.