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Woman with a Pink by Rembrandt

Woman with a Pink

Rembrandt · 1660

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“Stop and observe the subtle power of this woman's gaze and the delicate flower she holds. It's a masterclass in conveying character through light, shadow, and a few carefully chosen details.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

This portrait from around 1660 captures a woman in a moment of quiet dignity, her gaze direct and thoughtful. She holds a pink flower, a traditional symbol of love and marriage, which adds a touch of delicate color against her dark attire. The artist uses a restrained palette, focusing on the interplay of light and shadow to model her face and the rich textures of her clothing. Despite the somber tones, there is a warmth in her expression and the subtle glow on her skin. This painting exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age tradition of portraiture, where individual character and inner life are conveyed through careful observation and masterful technique.

DETAILS
Artist
Rembrandt
Date
1660
Medium
Oil on canvas
Location
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dimensions
36 1/4 x 29 3/8 in. (92.1 x 74.6 cm)
Collection
European Paintings
Credit line
Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913
ART MOVEMENTS
Dutch Golden Age painting
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

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

Woman with a Pink

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01

Her lowered gaze

Look at her tilted head and downcast eyes, with the lit forehead and cheek. She seems quietly thoughtful, caught in a private moment rather than posing.

1 of 5 on the painting
02

The pink carnation

Find the small red-pink flower held up in her fingers. It is the one bright accent in the dark room and gives the painting its title.

2 of 5 on the painting
03

Pool of light on hands

A soft glow gathers around her hands and cuff at lower left. The light pools here and pulls your eye down from her face toward the flower.

3 of 5 on the painting
04

Thick, rough jewel paint

On her shoulder and chest, gold trim and jewels are built from clotted, bumpy strokes. Up close they dissolve into paint, yet from afar they glitter.

4 of 5 on the painting
05

Pearl headdress and earring

Pearls drape across her forehead and hang from her ear, each a tiny dab of light. They catch the glow without pulling attention from her face.

5 of 5 on the painting
AUDIO DEEP DIVE

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THE ARTIST

Rembrandt

1606–1669 · Dutch Republic

Rembrandt painted ~40 self-portraits across his life, creating history's most intimate visual autobiography.

Read Rembrandt’s full story
MORE FROM THIS ARTIST

Further Works by Rembrandt

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Lieven Willemsz van Coppenol (born about 1599, died 1671 or later) Lieven Willemsz van Coppenol (born about 1599, died 1671 or later) 1626 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Man in a Turban Man in a Turban 1632 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Herman Doomer (ca. 1595–1650) Herman Doomer (ca. 1595–1650) 1640 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Rembrandt's Son Titus (1641–1668) Rembrandt's Son Titus (1641–1668) 1650 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Aristotle with a Bust of Homer Aristotle with a Bust of Homer 1653 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Old Woman Cutting Her Nails Old Woman Cutting Her Nails 1655 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Portrait of a Man Portrait of a Man 1655 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Portrait of a Man ("The Auctioneer") Portrait of a Man ("The Auctioneer") 1658 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
EXPLORE THE MOVEMENT

More from Dutch Golden Age painting

See the movement →
Officer and Laughing Girl Officer and Laughing Girl Vermeer · 1658 · The Frick Collection Boy with a Lute Boy with a Lute Hals · 1620 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
KEEP EXPLORING

More works to explore

Beyond Rembrandt and Dutch Golden Age painting: works from the same years.

View of Delft Same era · 1640s–1670s View of Delft Johannes Vermeer · 1661 · Mauritshuis Frans Hals (1582/83–1666) Same era · 1640s–1670s Frans Hals (1582/83–1666) Frans Hals · 1650 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art portrait of Count Ludwig VI. von Hessen-Darmstadt Same era · 1640s–1670s portrait of Count Ludwig VI. von Hessen-Darmstadt Salomon Duarte · 1660 · Bavarian State Painting Collections Resurrection of Christ Same era · 1640s–1670s Resurrection of Christ Samuel van Hoogstraten · 1665 · Art Institute of Chicago A lady holding a crucifix Same era · 1640s–1670s A lady holding a crucifix Willem van der Vliet · 1650 The Denial of Saint Peter Same era · 1640s–1670s The Denial of Saint Peter Georges de La Tour · 1650 · Nantes Museum of Arts The Music Lesson Same era · 1640s–1670s The Music Lesson Gerard ter Borch the Younger · 1670 · Art Institute of Chicago Two Deformed Heads with Very Long Upper Lips Same era · 1640s–1670s Two Deformed Heads with Very Long Upper Lips Leonardo da Vinci · 1645 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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