Rijksmuseum

Old Woman Reading, Probably the Prophetess Anna

Date

1631

Medium

panel, oil paint (paint)

Institution

Rijksmuseum

Here the light comes from behind the old woman: the brightest illumination falls on the book and her wrinkled hand, modelled with paint. Her face remains in shadow. She could be the prophetess Anna, an elderly widow who, according to the Bible, served God through fasting and prayer. Tradition has it that Rembrandt’s mother posed for this painting.

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