The artwork titled “Portrait of a Lady with an Ostrich Feather Fan” is attributed to Rembrandt, a master of the Dutch Golden Age, and was created circa 1656 to 1658. This portrait is a representation of the Baroque art movement and showcases aspects of Tenebrism, characterized by dramatic contrasts of light and dark. The painting belongs to the genre of portraiture and is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, United States.
In the artwork, the subject is depicted as an elegant woman dressed in attire that complements her status. Her gaze is directed away from the viewer, lending an air of thoughtfulness or introspection. The woman’s face is illuminated, focusing attention on her subdued expression and the delicate features of her visage. The light not only highlights her facial contours but also her costly and fashionable attire, including the lustrous fabric of her garment and the intricate lace collar.
The titular ostrich feather fan that she holds is an object of luxury, emphasized by the play of light that gives it a fluffy and soft texture, capturing the viewer’s attention and adding a note of opulence to the composition. The dark, subdued background provides a stark contrast to the lighter tones of her clothing and the fan, a technique that a Tenebrism-influenced artist like Rembrandt would employ to dramatic effect.
The refined details of the lady’s jewellery and the fabric’s embellishments demonstrate Rembrandt’s acute attention to the material qualities of objects, a hallmark of his work. Overall, the artwork conveys a sense of restrained elegance and serves as a testament to Rembrandt’s skill in rendering the human figure with dignity and grace, while also immortalizing the fashions and cultural artifacts of his time.