Study of an Old Woman

Study of an Old Woman is an oil painting on panel executed after the style of Rembrandt van Rijn (Leiden 1606 - 1669 Amsterdam). Though dated to 1600, this piece exemplifies the character studies and close psychological observations that became hallmarks of the Dutch Golden Age master and his workshop during the following decades. While the specific copyist remains unidentified, the work successfully captures the technical hallmarks of Rijn’s circle, focusing intently on the specific textures and emotional depth of the elderly sitter. The painting is held in the renowned collection of the Mauritshuis in The Hague.

This expressive portrait study captures the subject in half-profile against a deep, dark background. The artist utilizes strong, directional light, characteristic of the influence of Rijn, to emphasize the contours of the woman’s face, particularly the delicate wrinkles and the soft folds of her headdress. This manipulation of light and shadow allows the character study to emerge dramatically, placing it within the genre of tronie—a type of head study common in 17th-century Dutch art that focused on expressive features rather than specific identity.

The meticulous detail employed, especially in rendering the effects of aging, demonstrates the period’s high regard for realism. The execution on a wooden panel suggests the intimate scale typical of training exercises or preparatory works. As a significant example of a study produced in the wake of the Golden Age, this piece provides valuable insight into the training and artistic replication practices utilized by Rijn’s many followers. Because of its historical importance and public collection status, the work is often referenced in art history, and high-quality prints derived from the public domain image data are widely accessible for scholarly and aesthetic appreciation.