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Rembrandt revolutionised art in the 17th century. His work has had a profound influence on later generations of artists. But what makes this a subversive painting is not so much the artist, but the sitter. Lone female subjects in 17th century Dutch portraits are rare. Unusually for the time, Hooghsaet lived independently from her husband and Rembrandt never painted him. She is seated alone in an open, powerful pose. To her right, perhaps in place of her husband, sits her pet parrot.