An Old Woman Dozing over a Book
1655 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
This oil-on-canvas painting depicts an elderly woman in a reflective, quiet moment as she naps while reading a large book. It is a quintessential example of Dutch Golden Age genre painting, characterized by intimate, domestic subject matter.
Did you know?
Nicolaes Maes was one of the most talented pupils of Rembrandt, and his influence is clearly visible in the masterful use of dramatic light and shadow to create an intimate atmosphere. This specific painting captures a moment of gentle resignation, a common theme in Maes's works which often focused on the dignity of elderly people in their daily, humble lives.
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An Old Woman Dozing over a Book
Nicolaes Maes, 1655
