# Old Woman Reading, Probably the Prophetess Anna

- By: Rembrandt van Rijn (Leiden, 1606–1669)
- Date: 1631
- Medium: panel, oil paint (paint)
- Classification: painting
- Dimensions: height 60 cm x width 48 cm
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/SK-A-3066--c40e58abcb8b5d2d29343e130836d538)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://iiif.micr.io/CNSQg/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

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.