Portrait of Maertgen van Bilderbeecq by Rembrandt van Rijn

Portrait of Maertgen van Bilderbeecq 1633

oil

portrait

3d sculpting

woman

baroque

sculpture

oil

strong focal point

sculptural image

unrealistic statue

framed image

14_17th-century

3d art

framed

fine art portrait

statue

Rembrandt's "Portrait of Maertgen van Bilderbeecq," painted in 1633, is a prime example of the Dutch Golden Age's emphasis on realism. This oil on canvas portrait, now housed in the Städel Museum, showcases Maertgen's individuality with subtle brushstrokes capturing her features and clothing. The intricate lace collar and white cap, typical of the era, contrast with the dark background, emphasizing the sitter's presence. The painting exemplifies Rembrandt's early style and the artistic prowess that would define his later works.

Comments

stadelmuseum about 1 year ago

⋮

With its oval format, spartan staging and reduced palette, this painting represents a portrait type Rembrandt employed repeatedly for the members of the Amsterdam patriciate during his early phase in that city. The likeness is impressive by virtue of the immediacy with which he rendered the well-nourished young lady’s features. The open brushwork gives her a lifelike quality. The representation of various precious textiles one above the other – for example the delicate fabric of the ruff and the lace border of the bonnet – testifies to the artist’s painterly sophistication.