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Head of an old woman by Hieronymus Bosch

Head of an old woman

Hieronymus Bosch · 1500

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“Stop and look closely at this rare, intimate portrait by Hieronymus Bosch. It's a powerful study of an elderly woman, a departure from his more famous fantastical scenes, capturing a profound sense of human experience.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

This intimate portrait draws us close to an elderly woman, her gaze direct and unflinching. Her face, etched with wrinkles and a slightly downturned mouth, suggests a lifetime of experience. The light catches the subtle folds of her wimple and the texture of her skin, creating a vivid sense of presence. It's a striking contrast to the fantastical, often nightmarish, religious scenes that Hieronymus Bosch is known for, offering a rare glimpse into a more grounded aspect of his artistic output. This work, painted on a panel with oil, exemplifies the detailed observation characteristic of Early Netherlandish painting, focusing on individual humanity rather than grand narratives. The subdued palette and direct composition invite a quiet contemplation of the sitter's character.

DETAILS
Artist
Hieronymus Bosch
Date
1500
Location
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
ART MOVEMENTS
Northern Renaissance
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What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Pick one and we’ll show you exactly where to look.

Head of an old woman

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01

The sharp profile

Follow the line from the brow down the long nose to the chin. The strict side view gives her face a sculpted, almost medal-like profile.

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02

The watchful eye

Look at the dark eye tucked under a heavy lid. It is the one small point of sharp focus in a face worn soft by age.

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03

Wrinkled skin

Around the brow and temple, warm brown tones build up creases and small blemishes. The signs of age are shown plainly, with little smoothing.

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04

Faint drawn lines

On her cheek, thin curved and looping lines show through the skin. They look like underdrawing or preparatory marks, though their exact origin is not certain.

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05

Scratched white cap

The cap is covered in fine scratched lines and small flecks of paint. They give the cloth a dry, papery texture against the soft skin.

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THE ARTIST

Hieronymus Bosch

1450–1516 · Northern Low Countries

Hieronymus Bosch, a Dutch painter from the Northern Low Countries, filled his oak panels with fantastic illustrations of religious concepts, from the Garden of Eden to macabre depictions of hell.

Read Bosch’s full story
MORE FROM THIS ARTIST

Further Works by Bosch

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The Garden of Paradise The Garden of Paradise 1495 · Art Institute of Chicago The Conjurer (The Juggler) The Conjurer (The Juggler) 1502 The Adoration of the Magi The Adoration of the Magi Noordbrabants Museum Saint Christopher Carrying the Christ Child Saint Christopher Carrying the Christ Child 1500 · Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen The Wayfarer The Wayfarer 1500 · Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen Two Medallions with Symbolic-Religious Representations Two Medallions with Symbolic-Religious Representations 1515 · Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen The Last Judgment The Last Judgment 1478 · Art Institute of Chicago Christ Child with a Walking Frame Christ Child with a Walking Frame 1480 · Kunsthistorisches Museum
EXPLORE THE MOVEMENT

More from Northern Renaissance

See the movement →
The Crucifixion; The Last Judgment The Crucifixion; The Last Judgment van Eyck · 1440 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Saint Jerome in His Study Saint Jerome in His Study Dürer · 1521 · National Museum of Ancient Art
KEEP EXPLORING

More works to explore

Beyond Bosch and Northern Renaissance: works from the same years.

Portrait of a Musician Same era · 1480s–1510s Portrait of a Musician Leonardo da Vinci · 1485 · Pinacoteca Ambrosiana Jacopo Pesaro, Bishop of Paphos, being presented by Pope Alexander VI to Saint Peter Same era · 1480s–1510s Jacopo Pesaro, Bishop of Paphos, being presented by Pope Alexander VI to Saint Peter Titian · 1504 · Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp Drunkenness of Noah Same era · 1480s–1510s Drunkenness of Noah Michelangelo · 1509 · Sistine Chapel Sistine Madonna (Madonna di San Sisto) Same era · 1480s–1510s Sistine Madonna (Madonna di San Sisto) Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino) · 1512 Embroidery Pattern with Seven Six-pointed Stars and Four Corner Pieces Same era · 1480s–1510s Embroidery Pattern with Seven Six-pointed Stars and Four Corner Pieces Albrecht Dürer · 1500 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Plate with arms of the Tosinghi family Same era · 1480s–1510s Plate with arms of the Tosinghi family Artist Unknown - The Mercat Cross, Aberdeen · 1495 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints John the Baptist and Sebastian Same era · 1480s–1510s Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints John the Baptist and Sebastian Pietro Perugino · 1493 · Uffizi Gallery The Archangel Michael Same era · 1480s–1510s The Archangel Michael Master of the View of Saint Gudula · 1495 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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