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Portrait of a Woman

Quinten Massys Netherlandish
ca. 1520
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 612

Playing with the conventions of portraiture, Massys depicts his sitter as though she has been distracted from her illuminated prayer book by something outside the frame. The illusionistic columns flanking the woman make her appear to occupy a real space. Once paired with a portrait of a man, now in a private collection, this painting daringly presents its sitter in a fleeting moment of intense focus, heightening her individuality.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Portrait of a Woman
  • Artist: Quinten Massys (Netherlandish, Leuven 1466–1530 Antwerp)
  • Date: ca. 1520
  • Medium: Oil on wood
  • Dimensions: 19 x 17 in. (48.3 x 43.2 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931
  • Object Number: 32.100.47
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

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The Adoration of the Magi, Quinten Massys Netherlandish, Oil on wood
The Adoration of the Magi
Quinten Massys
1526
Portrait of a Man, Quinten Massys Netherlandish, Oil on wood
Portrait of a Man
Quinten Massys
The Annunciation, Hans Memling Netherlandish, Oil on wood
The Annunciation
Hans Memling
ca. 1465–70
Virgin and Child with Four Angels, Gerard David Netherlandish, Oil on wood
Virgin and Child with Four Angels
Gerard David
ca. 1510–15
Tommaso di Folco Portinari (1428–1501); Maria Portinari (Maria Maddalena Baroncelli, born 1456), Hans Memling Netherlandish, Oil on wood
Tommaso di Folco Portinari (1428–1501); Maria Portinari (Maria Maddalena Baroncelli, born 1456)
Hans Memling
ca. 1470

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