Portrait of An Old Woman 1640

Ferdinand Bol's "Portrait of an Old Woman" (1640) is a striking example of Dutch Golden Age portraiture. The painting, currently located in the National Museum in Warsaw, depicts an elderly woman in a dark, richly textured gown, her face illuminated by a single, direct light source. Her expression is stoic, her gaze fixed directly at the viewer, creating a sense of intimacy and inviting reflection on the passage of time. The work reflects the tradition of Dutch portraiture with its emphasis on realism and psychological depth.