Portrait of a Young Woman

The Portrait of a Young Woman was executed around 1620 by Peter Paul Rubens (Siegen 1577 - 1640 Antwerp) and his studio. This painting, realized in oil on panel, exemplifies the refined dramatic flair characteristic of the Flemish Baroque era. Although the sitter’s identity remains unrecorded, the piece captures the elegant composure and reserved demeanor expected of a woman of status during the first decades of the 17th century.

The technique suggests that while the overall composition and design originated from Rubens, elements of the execution may have been delegated to workshop assistants, a standard procedure given the master’s extraordinary production demands. The young woman is sharply modeled against an unassuming dark ground, a method that emphasizes the texture of her skin and the intricate detail of her costume. Rubens employs characteristic broad brushstrokes for the voluminous black drapery, contrasting them with delicate attention paid to the starched white lace collar and the subtle jewelry adorning her ear and chest. The intensity of her calm, direct gaze remains the central focus of the work.

As a significant example of Northern European Baroque portraiture, this painting contributes substantially to the comprehensive understanding of Rubens’s influential career and the operations of his large studio. The piece currently resides in the esteemed collection of the Mauritshuis in The Hague. Given its historical provenance and age, this Baroque masterwork is often treated as belonging to the cultural public domain, making high-quality prints and academic references widely accessible.