Attributed to Isaack Jacobsz. van Hooren

With Trotti, Paris;
Probably Laurent Meeus;
From whose widow inherited by the father of the present owners.

B.J.A. Renckens, "Isaac Jacobsz. van Hooren", in Oud Holland, vol. LXVIII, no. 2, 1953, p. 116, reproduced fig. 5 (as by Van Hooren).

The catalogue illustration is slightly too warm in tone. The support consists of three vertical oak planks, now held by an old cradled on the reverse. The cradle appears to be providing effective support and the panel is perfectly flat and stable. There is an old repaired crack running up from the left centre of the bottom edge to the hem of the girl's jacket. Overall the paint surface appears to be in very nice condition, with no major damages or repairs. The figure of the girl and her dress is beautifully preserved, with plenty of original impasto and the only blemish a 3 cm surface scratch across her cheek. Inspection under ultra violet light revals a fair degree of careful touching out in the background to disguise where the paint has worn thin over the wood grain. This is particularly in evidence behind and to the left side of the girl, to the right hand side of the background. Other larger areas of minor peripheral repair are evident along the top and bottom margins. The restoration has aged and discoloured in some parts but is not generally obtrusive as it lies beneath a very thick and glossy layer of varnish, which has degraded in several places, for example the girl's skirt. This lot is sold with a later parcel gilt and tortoiseshell frame in generally good condition, some minor chips and knocks.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This picture was formerly attributed to Aelbert Cuyp, whose signature it bears, and it does indeed show resemblances with child portraits painted by Jacob Gerritsz. Cuyp and his family workshop in Dordrecht, which used a warm reddish ground (as here). Alan Chong considers, however, that this painting is closer to Amsterdam child portraiture and does not think it was painted in Dordrecht. Its style is not far removed from that of Dirck Dircksz. Santvoort's child portraits painted in Amsterdam during the 1640s.  B.J.A. Renckens published S.J. Gudlaugsson's suggestion (see literature) that this is the work of the Amsterdam portrait-painter Isaac van Hooren: this attribution deserves serious consideration.