Portrait of a Woman

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• Cathy Reed asked

  Can you advise if the Portrait of a Woman by Caspar Netscher (Acc No 1590) had an identity listed when originally bequested?

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Dear Cathy, This painting is in the museum's collection from its very first beginnings, as it was owned by Frans Otto Boymans - our founding father. The work is signed (on the fountain's base) but not very well executed, which made art historians believe that, for the greater part at least, it was executed by Netscher's assistants. The woman who its portrayed was probably from upper class The Hague and it has been assumed that this is a marriage portrait, which would mean that there also is, or has been, a painting showing her future husband. Until now, however, the male portrait has not been found. I hope this information is helpful. Kind regards, Els