Johannes VermeerDutch, 1632–1675Woman Holding a Balance
May one see it?
Yes, receiving visitors
National Gallery of Art
Room50A · West Building, Main FloorWashington, D.C., United States
On public display.
- Checked
- 4 hours ago
- In this state since
- Aug 19, 2026
- Source
- The museum's own collection data
About the painting
Woman Holding a Balance (Dutch: Vrouw met weegschaal), also called Woman Testing a Balance, is an oil painting by Dutch Golden Age painter Johannes Vermeer, now in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
At one time the painting, completed c. 1662–1663, was known as Woman Weighing Gold, but closer evaluation has determined that the balance in her hand is empty. Opinions on the theme and symbolism of the painting differ, with the woman alternatively viewed as a symbol of holiness or earthliness.
Particulars
- Accession number
- 1942.9.97
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- National Gallery of Art: the museum's own open data · fetched 4 days ago
- Image: National Gallery of Art — Museum open access
Meanwhile, in the life of Johannes Vermeer
The whole life1653–1675
Patrons: van Ruijven and van Buyten
Pieter van Ruijven and his wife Maria de Knuijt were Vermeer's patrons for the better part of his career: van Ruijven bought much of his output, which kept Vermeer afloat financially but reduced the chances of his fame spreading beyond Delft. The baker Hendrick van Buyten held a couple of his paintings as collateral.
1653–1675 · Workplace
Delft
1662
Elected head of the Guild of Saint Luke
In 1662 Vermeer was elected head of the guild and was re-elected in 1663, 1670 and 1671, evidence that his peers considered him an established craftsman.
1663
A visit from Balthasar de Monconys
In 1663 the diplomat Balthasar de Monconys came to see Vermeer's work, but Vermeer had no paintings to show him. Monconys and the two French clergymen with him were sent to the baker Hendrick van Buyten, who held a couple of the artist's paintings as collateral.
![Scenes from the Passion of Christ: The Descent into Limbo [right panel], Andrea Vanni, 1380s](https://api.nga.gov/iiif/4205a539-eadd-4486-89a7-3cff9c1ba428/full/!2400,2400/0/default.jpg)
