Old Woman Reading

Gerrit Dou, c. 1631 - c. 1632

The book is rendered in such detail that it is easy to see what the woman is reading: the beginning of chapter 19 of the Gospel of Luke. The passage states that those who wish to do good must give away half of all they own to the poor. The old woman’s expensive clothing contrasts sharply with this message: she is still attached to worldly possessions.

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-A-2627
  • Dimensionsheight 71.1 cm x width 55.2 cm, frame: height 85.3 cm x width 69.5 cm x depth 5.8 cm
  • Physical characteristicsoil on panel

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • Old Woman Reading
    • Old Woman reading a Lectionary : the so-called portrait of Rembrandt's mother, Neeltgen Willemsdr van Zuijdtbroeck (d. 1640)

  • Object type

  • Object number

    SK-A-2627

  • Description

    Oude vrouw lezend in een lectionarium; het zogenaamde portret van Rembrandts moeder, Neeltgen Willemsdr van Zuijdtbroeck. De oude vrouw houdt in haar handen een boek waarin een prent het evangelie van Lukas illustreert.

  • Inscriptions / marks

    inscription, on the book: ‘ op den dach der kerck wijdin / evangelium luce XIX cap ’

  • Part of catalogue

Creation

  • Creation

    painter: Gerrit Dou

  • Dating

    c. 1631 - c. 1632

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    oil on panel

  • Dimensions

    • height 71.1 cm x width 55.2 cm
    • frame: height 85.3 cm x width 69.5 cm x depth 5.8 cm

Explanatory note

  • De vrouw leest in Evangelien ende epistelen alzomen die doort gantsche jaer op alle Sondaghen ende ander Heylighe daghen, in der heyligher kercken hout. Ende oock met schone figueren op elcken Evangelie ghestelt by Lourens Jacobszoon [1585 of later].

This work is about

  • Subject

Exhibitions

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    A.H. Hoekwater Bequest, The Hague

  • Acquisition

    bequest 1912-10

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; ? collection William Wells Esq. (1767-1845), Redleaf, near Penshurst (Kent), 1829;{J. Smith, _A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of the Most Eminent Dutch, Flemish and French Painters_, I, London 1829, p. 45, no. 138 (‘The portrait of an elderly female, said to be the mother of the artist. This picture is painted the size of nature, and is evidently the work of Dow, when in the school of Rembrandt. Collection of W. Wells, Esq. 26 _in_. by 21 _in_.-P. [66 x 53.3 cm]’).} ? his sale, London (Christie & Manson), 12 May 1848 _sqq_., no. 56, £36.15, to Evans;{Copy RKD. The description of the painting is the same as in J. Smith, _A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of the Most Eminent Dutch, Flemish and French Painters_, I, London 1829, p. 45, no. 138; see preceding note.}…; or purchased by the Hoekwater family, The Hague, c. 1830;{Note RMA.} on loan from Vice-Admiral Anthony Hendrik Hoekwater (1854-1912), Hilversum, to the museum, July 1889-10 November 1891;{Note RMA.} by whom donated to the museum, 1912

Documentation

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