Little is known of this miniature painting other than the San Diego Fine Arts description states it painting of a well to do, upper class Dutch woman. Painter and time frame are unknown but were part of the artifact paintings allegedly acquired in Europe as part of the Henry Stimson family collection in the late 1800s.
3 x 5 "
Hello, this item is a European portrait miniature painting, most likely from the 19th century, depicting a noble or bourgeois Dutch woman dressed in 17th-century style attire. The sitter wears pearl jewelry, a richly detailed lace collar and cuffs, and a dark gown with golden embroidery. The maritime background with moored ships adds a Dutch coastal context, reinforcing her identity as part of a mercantile or seafaring elite. The size (3 x 5 inches) is slightly larger than most miniatures, allowing for more elaborate detailing.
While the painting mimics 17th-century Dutch portraiture—possibly after a work by a Golden Age artist like Bartholomeus van der Helst or Nicolaes Eliasz. Pickenoy—it appears to be a 19th-century reproduction or homage, likely created for the antique trade or as part of aristocratic revival interest in the period. These miniatures were often produced on porcelain or ivory with enamel or gouache. Provided it is in good condition with no cracking or discoloration, its value today ranges between $400 and $800. The piece’s appeal lies in its decorative charm and historical pastiche, even if the artist remains unidentified.