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Not on display
The girl has recently been identified as Geertruyt Spiegel, who was born in Amsterdam in October 1635, the daughter of Elbert Dircksz. Spiegel and Petronella Roeters. The couple had five daughters and commissioned portraits of them in the guise of the five senses from Santvoort. Gertruyt is shown with a finch on her hand as a representation of the sense of Touch.
The portraits of the other four daughters are in museums in Cleveland and Rodez and in private collections.
The date has been damaged but the last digit can be read in infra-red photographs and is almost certainly a 9.
The portraits of the other four daughters are in museums in Cleveland and Rodez and in private collections.
The date has been damaged but the last digit can be read in infra-red photographs and is almost certainly a 9.
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The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN