Title: Portrait of a WomanArtist: Caterina van Hemessen
Date: 1540s- early 1550s
The reason I chose this painting is because it is very similar to the van Hemessen painting Portrait of a Lady (1551) that we looked at in class this week. There is no doubt that this was a painting of a real woman, as her face and body are not idealized, and her clothes are not detailed or ornamented. The woman wears a simple black dress with lace around the neck and cuffs, as well as a black bonnet and a cheetah/leopard fur shawl. A wedding ring is visible, and I feel like it is a significant part of the story behind the painting. Her facial expression makes her appear sad and deep in thought. It looks as if she is staring into space, recalling a memory and reminiscing about the past. Her attire combined with her facial expression, plus the ring makes me think she is a grieving widow or something.
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I agree with you about how she looks like a grieving widow. I got that feeling from this picture as well. Also i remember us talking in class about facial expression and the use of light and this portrait is just like the ones we saw in class.
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