Portrait of a lady, three-quarter length, in a black dress with a red embroidered and scalopped bodice, a `molensteenkraag' and a jewelled heart shaped cap, together with a small girl, holding an apple

This charming portrait of a mother and a daughter can be dated to circa 1605 on the basis of the lady’s elaborate dress. The hair-style of the lady is comparable to the portrait of Maria van Voerst van Doorwerth, attributed to Evert van der Maes, and dated 1608 (Kasteel Duivenvoorde, voorschoten), as has kindly been pointed out by Sara van Dijk of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, to whom we are grateful. The young girl holds an apple in her hand, which might be a reference to the Fall of Man.

Traditionally attributed to the Flemish artist Cornelis de Vos, the present picture is most likely by a Northern Netherlandish artist. The sitter shares a clear likeness with the portrait of Catharina de Rechtere (The Hague 1567-?), previously attributed to Evert van der Maes (with F. van Wanroij, 2013, as attributed to Jan Anthonisz. van Ravesteyn). The latter is dated 1610 and depicts Catharina de Rechtere at the age of 43. In 1599, Catharina married Willem van Santen (1564-1610) and in 1600 she gave birth to a daughter Mechteld Catharina van Santen (Delft 1600-1677 Utrecht). Based on the likeness, this might suggest Catharina de Rechtere and her daughter Mechteld Catharina are portrayed in the present painting.