A Young Woman in Profile with a Fan 1632

Rembrandt van Rijn painted this portrait of a young woman in oil on canvas. The subdued palette is dominated by dark browns and blacks, offset by the delicate luminosity of the woman's face and hair. Her serene profile, set against the dark background, directs our gaze. Rembrandt's genius lies in his ability to use light and shadow to create depth and volume. Notice how the light gently illuminates the contours of her face, emphasizing her delicate features. The textures in the painting, from the soft fabric of her dress to the golden strands of her hair, add to the visual richness. The slight asymmetry of her features, far from detracting, adds to her character. The interplay of light and shadow, so characteristic of Rembrandt, operates here to destabilize conventional portraiture. The formal structure draws us in, inviting contemplation and re-interpretation.