Netherlandish School, late 16th century

This composition was popular among artists in northern Europe in the second half of the sixteenth century, and this panel is a particularly strong example.  Notable features in this work include the modelling of the figure's form, the detail of her jewelry as well as the soft highlights that define each pearl, and the delicate bow attached to her necklace at the center of her chest.  An artist that explored this subject regularly was Gortzius Geldorp, but the somewhat sensual nature of the present example also points to characteristics that defined much of the output of the northern Mannerist artists towards the late 16th century.