Rembrandt (1606-1669)
Portrait of a Woman, Possibly Maria Trip
1639
Oil on panel, 107 x 82 cm
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Maria’s father amassed enormous wealth through trade in iron and arms. In 1639 she was 20 years old and still unmarried. In this portrait, she makes no bones of the fact that she has money to spend. Her neckerchief is made of the finest, almost transparent lace, and she wears a fortune in pearls. Fans, like that in her left hand, were still rare and precious accessories in 1639. (RIJKS)