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For many years this portrait has been part of the heart of the group of Rembrandt paintings at the National Gallery of Denmark. However, the picture’s authenticity has been challenged over the last decades, meaning that it should now be attributed to one of Rembrandt’s late students, probably Willem Drost.

Inspired by Rembrandt

The way the woman is depicted is very much inspired by Rembrandt, a "portrayer of the soul", as is evident in the model’s calm and gently introvert expression that speaks of quiet contemplation. These features in particular place the picture so close to Rembrandt’s style that we must assume it was done under his supervision while Drost was still a student in his workshop.

The young woman

We do not know who the young woman is, but the dress with its square neckline, the blouse, and the elaborate headdress all belong to the early 16th century. Thus, it is difficult to determine whether this is a staged period portrait or a so-called "tronie", a kind of anonymous presentation of characters popular in 17th century Holland.

The carnation in the woman’s hand is associated with engagement and marriage symbolism that was widespread in the 16th century, appearing in several female portraits from the time.

Details

  • Title: Young Woman with a Carnation
  • Creator: Workshop of Rembrandt van Rijn
  • Creator Lifespan: 1606 - 1669
  • Date Created: 1656
  • Værktekst: Gennem mange år har portrættet hørt til kernen af Rembrandts malerier på Statens Museum for Kunst. I løbet af de seneste årtier har der imidlertid været sat spørgsmålstegn ved billedets autenticitet, hvilket har resulteret i, at en tilskrivning til en af Rembrandts sene elever, Willem Drost nu forsøges. Stærk inspiration fra Rembrandt At kvindefremstillingen er stærkt inspireret af "sjælemaleren" Rembrandt fremgår af modellens rolige og mildt indadvendte udtryk, der vidner om stille refleksion. Navnlig disse træk får billedet til at ligge så tæt på Rembrandts stil, at det må antages at være udført under hans vejledning, mens Drost endnu var under uddannelse i hans værksted. Den unge kvinde Vi ved ikke, hvem den unge kvinde er, men både kjolen med den firkantede halsudskæring, blusen, og den kunstfærdige hovedbeklædning stammer fra det tidlige 1500-tal. Det er derfor vanskeligt at bedømme, hvorvidt der er tale om et historisk iscenesat portræt eller en såkaldt "tronie", en type anonym karakterfremstilling, der var et temmelig populært motiv i Holland i 1600- tallet. Nelliken i kvindens hånd knytter sig til en forlovelses- og ægteskabssymbolik, der var udbredt i 1500-tallet og ses i adskillige kvindeportrætter fra denne periode.
  • Teknik: Olie på lærred
  • Proveniens: Erhvervet før 1814
  • Provenance: Acquired Før 1814
  • Physical Dimensions: w67.8 x h78.6 cm (Without frame)
  • Dansk link: http://www.smk.dk/index.php?id=1149
  • Dansk Titel: Kvinde med nellike
  • Type: Painting
  • Rights: Statens Museum for Kunst, http://www.smk.dk/en/copyright/creative-commons/
  • Medium: Oil on canvas

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