Portrait of a 39-year-old Woman 1632

Rembrandt van Rijn painted this portrait of a 39-year-old woman in the Dutch Golden Age, though the exact date remains unknown. Here, the woman's austere dress and the small book she holds offer insight into the values of the time. The Netherlands in the 17th century was a Calvinist society where outward displays of wealth were frowned upon and inner piety was prized. The book may signify the woman's literacy and devotion, attributes valued in women in this religious environment. It’s interesting to note the emerging role of women within Dutch society at this time. The Dutch Republic allowed women more freedom to participate in economic and even intellectual life than many of its contemporaries. Understanding this portrait requires us to look beyond the surface. Historical records, religious texts, and even family histories can enrich our understanding of the society that produced both the sitter and the artist.