Attributed to Daniël Mijtens the Younger

This canvas has been recently relined. The surface shows two old horizontal seams or creases -- one at the top, just above Danaë's upraised hand and the head of her attendant; the other at the bottom, passing through the green cushions and drapery -- but neither is distracting. In the light area around the falling coins and in and along the contours of Danaë's upraised hand and arm there is visible infill of the craquelure. Under UV, the face and torso of Danaë appears to have very few retouches, although there are scattered areas of infill and retouch visible in the background, maid, putti and along the framing edges. These, however, have been very well applied and the picture presents a grand and very decorative image. It should be hung as is in a carved, gilt frame.
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We are grateful to Dr. Jan Kosten of the Rijksbureau voor Kunsthistorische Documentatie, The Hague for suggesting the attribution to Daniël Mijtens the Younger, based on photographs.

This composition is very close to a work formerly in the collection of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen, Dresden (destroyed during World War II).  That painting was formerly thought to be a work by Anthony van Dyck, but is now considered to have been painted by a follower.   The present painting differs from the Dresden picture in the design of the lower part of the bed and the addition of a second putto.