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Cologne, Unknown artist, 'Portrait of a Woman', about 1495

About the work

Overview

Although we don't know the identity of this woman, her clothing and the objects around her suggest that she was painted in around 1500 and most probably came from Cologne. The portrait was almost certainly part of a diptych (a painting made of two panels), which could have been hinged at the centre. The woman is turned towards the left-hand panel, which might have shown the Virgin Mary or perhaps an image of her betrothed or husband.

The symbols on the ledge – the flowers in the cup and the apple – could refer either to the Virgin or to marriage, but it is unclear which is intended without knowing the subject of the other panel in the diptych. The woman holds a rosary, used as an aid when reciting prayers to the Virgin.

Key facts

Details

Full title
Portrait of a Woman
Date made
about 1495
Medium and support
oil on wood
Dimensions
38.4 × 28.5 cm
Acquisition credit
Salting Bequest, 1910
Inventory number
NG2670
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection
Previous owners

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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