Portrait of Catharina Hooft
Painting on panel • Frans Hals
Style & Movement
Dutch Golden Age / Baroque
Medium & Technique
Oil on panel; techniques include glazing for the textiles and detailed linework for the lace ruff and stomacher
Creation Period
1618
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 120 cm x 90 cm; Portrait format
Subject Description
A formal standing portrait of a young Catharina Hooft (aged approximately 12 or 20 according to inscriptions) wearing a black vlieger over a rose-colored skirt and a gold-embroidered stomacher. She wears a large millstone ruff and a lace cap, holding a pair of gloves - a symbol of status and wealth. The inscription 'AETAT SVAE 18 / AN 1618' is visible top left.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the panel appears stable and the paint layer retains vibrant color and detail
Estimated Market Value
$15,000,000 - $25,000,000 (estimation based on museum-quality works by Hals)
Auction Estimate
$10,000,000 - $20,000,000
Provenance History
Likely commissioned by the Hooft family; currently held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin
Art Historical Significance
A significant early work by Frans Hals demonstrating his transition from the stiff formal portraiture of the late 16th century toward his signature loose and lively brushwork. It represents the height of Dutch bourgeois portraiture.
Notable Features
Features a prominent millstone ruff, intricate gold embroidery, and a Latin inscription denoting the age of the sitter and year of execution.
Condition Issues
Minor stable craquelure consistent with age; possible darkened varnish in the background areas
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity and temperature to prevent panel warping; use UV-filtered lighting; periodic professional surface cleaning