An inscription at upper left provides the age of the unidentified sitter as fifty-six. Soberly but richly dressed in black silk, with a brocaded bodice, this ruddy-cheeked lady holds a Bible or prayer book.
Her solid, rounded form and the comfortable setting convey the sense of a life led in a secure position in society. The portrait records her features with blunt, vigorous brushwork and an objectivity that seems to reflect her character.
Like most of Hals’s works, this painting has a plain, unadorned background well suited to his flamboyant painting style. Various suggestions have been made for a male companion to this portrait, but no agreement has been reached.
Portrait of a Woman
An inscription at upper left gives the age of the unidentified sitter as fifty-six. Soberly but richly dressed in black silk, with a brocaded bodice, the ruddy-cheeked lady, holding a Bible or prayerbook, appears well-established in a comfortable existence. Her solid, rounded form and four-square setting enhance the sense of a life led in a secure position within her society. The portrait records her features with objectivity and with a blunt, vigorous brushwork that seems in itself to reflect her character. Like most of Hals’ works, this one employs a plain, unadorned background perfectly suited to his style of portraiture. Various suggestions have been made for a male companion to the portrait, but no agreement has been reached.
Source: Art in The Frick Collection: Paintings, Sculpture, Decorative Arts, New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1996.
J. Bernard. His sale, November 24, 1834, Amsterdam, Lot 46, sold to de Vries. D.P. Sellar, London. His sale, June 6, 1889, Paris, Galerie Georges Petit, Lot 36. Charles Schiff, Paris. Sold by Schiff in 1893 to C.T. Yerkes, Chicago. His sale, April 7, 1910, New York, American Art Association, Lot 119. Knoedler. Frick, 1910.
Source: Paintings in The Frick Collection: American, British, Dutch, Flemish and German. Volume I. New York: The Frick Collection, 1968.
