Portrait of a woman

Ferdinand Bol's Portrait of a Woman from around 1655 is a mature work by one of Rembrandt's most successful pupils, who developed the master's portrait style into a more polished, elegant formula suited to Amsterdam's prosperous burgher class. Bol studied with Rembrandt in the early 1630s and maintained elements of his master's style throughout his career, though his work became increasingly refined and fashionable as he attracted wealthy patrons.

Bol's oil-on-canvas technique shows the influence of Rembrandt in the warm chiaroscuro and careful modeling of the face, while the more polished surface and refined presentation reflect Bol's evolution toward a smoother, more fashionable portrait manner.