Catharina van Hemessen (1527/28–after 1567), Antwerp, 1548, oil on panel

Catharina van Hemessen, 1548

The self-assured Catharina van Hemessen signed and dated this portrait of an unknown woman. In large gilt letters, she inscribed in Latin ‘Catherina de Hemessen pinxit 1548,’ which translates as ‘Catharina van Hemessen painted this in 1548.’ Van Hemessen is the first Southern Netherlandish female painter by whom signed and dated works are known. This portrait is likely one of her earliest pieces.

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-A-4256
  • Dimensionsheight 23 cm x width 15.2 cm, height 34.7 cm x width 27 cm x depth 2.5 cm
  • Physical characteristicsoil on panel

Stories

10 things you need to know about Catharina van Hemessen

Who was Catharina van Hemessen and why was she internationally successful?

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • Portrait of a Woman
    • Catharina van Hemessen (1527/28–after 1567), Antwerp, 1548, oil on panel
    • Portrait of a Woman, probably a Self Portrait (former title)

  • Object type

  • Object number

    SK-A-4256

  • Description

    Zelfbewust dateerde en signeerde Catharina van Hemessen dit portret van een onbekende vrouw. In grote vergulde letters schreef ze in het Latijn ‘Catherina de Hemessen pinxit 1548’. Vertaald betekent dat: ‘Catharina van Hemessen schilderde dit in 1548’. Van Hemessen is de eerste Zuid-Nederlandse schilderes van wie gedateerd en gesigneerd werk bekend is. Dit portret is waarschijnlijk een van haar vroegste werken.

  • Inscriptions / marks

    signature and date: ‘Catherina. de Hemessen. Pinxit. 1548’

Creation

  • Creation

    painter: Catharina van Hemessen

  • Dating

    1548

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    oil on panel

  • Dimensions

    • height 23 cm x width 15.2 cm
    • height 34.7 cm x width 27 cm x depth 2.5 cm

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    F.G.S. Baron van Brakell tot den Brakell Bequest, Arnhem

  • Acquisition

    bequest 1878

  • Copyright

    Public domain

Documentation

  • Karolien de Clippel, 'Catharina van Hemessen (1528-na 1581): amateurschilderes, en toch pionier?', Jaarboek van het Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen (1998), pp. 243-292 (pp. 249-151 verwerpt identificatie als zelfportret).

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