Portrait of a Woman by Pieter Dubordieu

Portrait of a Woman 1637

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painting, oil-paint

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portrait

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baroque

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dutch-golden-age

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painting

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oil-paint

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figuration

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genre-painting

Dimensions: support height 71 cm, support width 60.5 cm, outer size depth 8.5 cm

Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain

Pieter Dubordieu’s ‘Portrait of a Woman’, made with oil on a 71cm by 60.5cm support, presents a compelling study in contrasts and textures. The muted earth tones of the background, against which the pale face and brilliant white lace collar stand out, establish an immediate visual dichotomy. The woman’s gaze, direct and slightly melancholic, draws us into the composition. The stark geometric shapes of her attire—the rigid lines of her dark jacket, the circles of her lace collar—juxtapose the softness of her face and hair. Dubordieu masterfully uses light to define form, creating a sense of depth that invites viewers to explore the underlying structures of identity and representation. This interplay between geometric precision and organic softness destabilizes conventional portraiture. The woman appears caught between the rigid social structures dictating her dress and an inner world suggested by her introspective gaze. The portrait functions as a semiotic system, with clothing, color, and composition acting as signs that communicate complex social and personal meanings. It invites us to continually question our understanding of the subject.

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