A Lady Seated Holding a Small Dog

Willem van Mieris 1662 - 1747

Summary

This is a portrait of Cunera van der Cock, the artist's mother. She is shown playfully fondling the ear of a small lap dog, which she holds close to her breast in a heavy red velvet cloak. It is a copy of an earlier work painted by Willem's father, Frans van Mieris. Frans used very fine, invisible brushstrokes to create highly finished paintings. His son also mastered this technique and both were recognised as fijnschilders, or fine painters. After Frans's death, Willem continued to paint like him and received many commissions to make copies of his work. This painting was commissioned by Willem's greatest patron, a Leiden textile manufacturer, Pieter de la Court van der Voort. When Frans's painting left the Netherlands around 1700, Willem's copy was valued as much as the original.

Display Label

A lady seated holding a dog about 1690-1700 Willem van Mieris 1662-1747, after Frans van Mieris 1635-81 Oil on panel This is a portrait of Cunera van der Cock, the artist’s mother. It is a copy of an earlier work painted by his father, Frans van Mieris. Frans used very fine, invisible brushstrokes to create highly finished paintings. His son also mastered this technique and both were recognised as fijnschilders, or fine painters. After Frans’ death, Willem continued to paint like him and received many commissions to make copies of his work. This painting was commissioned by Willem’s greatest patron, a Leiden textile manufacturer, Pieter de la Court van der Voort. When Frans’ painting left the Netherlands around 1700, Willem’s copy was valued as much as the original. Assheton Bennett bequest 1979.475