Where can I see this painting?

It hangs at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The museum acquired it in 1912.

Was this painting attributed to Rembrandt?

Yes. Until 1901, it was called "Rembrandt's Mother" and attributed to Rembrandt. Art historian Wilhelm Martin identified it as Dou's work.

What is the woman reading?

She reads Luke chapter 19, about giving to the poor. Her expensive clothing contrasts with this message, suggesting she still values worldly possessions.

How old was Dou when he painted this?

Dou was around 18 years old. He had trained under Rembrandt since age 14 and shared a studio with him and Jan Lievens in Leiden.

Where Is Portrait of an old woman reading? Museum Location

Dating to 1631, study of an elderly woman reading around 1631-1632, when he was still a teenager and recently trained under Rembrandt. The painting was once attributed to Rembrandt himself and titled "Rembrandt's Mother," but in 1901 art historian Wilhelm Martin identified it as Dou's work based on his characteristic use of chiaroscuro and smooth surface structure.

The old woman reads the beginning of the 19th chapter of Luke's Gospel, which states that whoever wants to do good should give their possessions to the poor. This message contrasts with her expensive clothing, suggesting she still clings to worldly goods. Dou shows notable technical skill for his young age, rendering the Biblical text and accompanying print with extreme precision.

The painting hangs at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which acquired it in 1912. The old woman depicted here appears in works by Dou, Rembrandt, and Jan Lievens, all of whom shared a studio in Leiden during this period. Dou became Rembrandt's first pupil in 1628 at just fourteen years old.