Published: February 13, 2018

Portraits of elderly women

National Gallery of Art - French School, 18th century - Elderly woman with a clutch
Second half of the 18th century. Oil on canvas, 80.5x64.5 cm.

images: Public domain

Throughout art history, portraits of elderly women have been a popular subject for painters. These portraits often capture the wisdom, beauty, and resilience that comes with age, showcasing the unique character and experiences of the sitter.

One of the most famous portraits of an elderly woman is "Whistler's Mother" by James McNeill Whistler. Painted in 1871, this iconic portrait depicts Whistler's own mother, Anna McNeill Whistler, sitting in a simple wooden chair with her hands folded in her lap. The painting is a study in simplicity and restraint, with a focus on the sitter's serene expression and dignified posture. Whistler's use of muted colors and soft lighting adds to the overall sense of quiet contemplation and introspection.

Another notable portrait of an elderly woman is "Portrait of Madame Cezanne" by Paul Cezanne. Painted in the late 19th century, this portrait captures the artist's wife, Hortense Fiquet, in her later years. Cézanne's bold brushwork and use of geometric shapes give the portrait a modern and abstract quality, while still retaining a sense of the sitter's individuality and personality. The painting is a testament to Cézanne's skill as a portraitist, capturing the essence of his subject with honesty and sensitivity.

In more recent times, contemporary artists have continued to explore the theme of elderly women in their work. Artists like Alice Neel and Lucian Freud have created powerful and intimate portraits of elderly women, capturing the physical and emotional complexities of aging with honesty and compassion. These portraits often challenge traditional notions of beauty and femininity, celebrating the strength and resilience of older women in a society that often overlooks their contributions and experiences.

Overall, portraits of elderly women in painting serve as a reminder of the beauty and dignity that comes with age. These portraits capture the essence of their subjects with honesty and sensitivity, celebrating the wisdom and resilience that comes with a life well-lived. As we continue to explore the complexities of aging and identity in our society, these portraits serve as a powerful reminder of the value and importance of older women in our lives.

Stomer, Matthias - The Old Woman with a Candle, The Hermitage

Boris Dmitrievich Grigoryev - The Old Woman's Milkman

Vasily Andreevich Tropinin - An elderly woman with a chicken (Portrait of the artist's wife). 1856

Vasily Vasilevich Vereshchagin - The old woman-beggar is ninety-six years old. Around 1891

Vasily Andreevich Tropinin - An elderly woman, cutting her nails (Portrait of the artist's wife). 1850

Vasily Ivanovich Surikov - The old woman in a patterned headscarf. 1886

Ilya Efimovich Repin - The Old Woman

George de Latour - The Old Woman
ok1618. 91x60

Albrecht Durer - The Old Woman with a pouch of coins (The reverse side of the "Portrait of a Young Man")
1507. 35x29

Part 1 Museum of the Prado - Massey, (attributed) Quentin - the Old Woman, tearing her hair
1527, 55 cmx40 cm, panel, oil. (attributed) Quentin Massey (1466 Louvain - 1530 Antwerp)

Bos, Peter van den - The Old Woman Reading, The Hermitage

Molenar, Jan Mine - Old Man and the Old Woman, The Hermitage

Arthur Hughes - The old lady-neighbor passes by

National Gallery of Art - Rembrandt van Rijn (Follower) - Old woman, plucking cock
1650/1655. Oil on canvas, 133x104.7 cm. Credit: Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Ivan Semenovich Kulikov - Old woman Daria from Prudishch. 1908

Rembrandt Style - An Old Woman Shaving Nails, The Metropolitan Museum

Mas, Nicholas - An old lady slumbering over a book, National Gallery of Art
Around 1655. Oil on canvas, 82.2x67 cm. Nicholas Mas (Holland, 1634 - 1693)

Gabriel Metsu - An elderly woman in a rocking chair

images: Public domain