Portrait of a Woman 1551 - 1588

Rolán de Moys painted this portrait of a woman, probably in the latter half of the 16th century, using oil paint on wood. The choice of wood as a base is important here. Think about the qualities it lends to the painting – its relative lightness, its smooth surface, its inherent grain. These characteristics enabled de Moys to achieve meticulous detail, especially in the rendering of her elaborate garments and jewelry. The pearls, lace, and embroidery would have signified considerable expense and status. The woman’s dress itself speaks of skilled labor: growing the flax or cotton, spinning it into thread, weaving it into cloth, and tailoring it into form. Even the pigment of the paint would have been costly; consider the rich pinks and reds, derived from minerals and plants, ground by hand. De Moys was not only a skilled artist, but also a manager of materials. By looking closely at the materials and their making, we begin to see the painting as more than just an image, but an index of its time.