CORNELIS VAN DER VOORT | PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG WOMAN, THREE-QUARTER-LENGTH, IN A BLACK DAMASK DRESS WITH A RUFF AND WHITE LACE HEAD-PIECE

When catalouged by Max Friedländer in 1952 (see Literature), when this portrait was in the collection of Hans Wetzlar in Amsterdam, it was recorded as being signed by Cornelis van der Voort at the upper left.

By contrast with many other genres of painting produced for the booming open art market in The Netherlands in the 17th century, portraits were almost exclusively commissioned. Although we do not know the identity of the sitter in this work, it is clear from the rich, expensive black fabric of her dress, the fine lace of her head-piece, ruff and cuffs - not to mention her jewellery - that she enjoys some level of wealth and status. The ring on her left hand is displayed prominently, suggesting that she is soon to be, or is recently, married.