Portrait of a Woman, possibly Elizabeth Boothby

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Artist: Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen (British, 1593–1661)
Medium: Oil on wood
Size: Unframed: 65.7 x 56 cm (25 7/8 x 22 1/16 in.)
Culture: England, 17th century
Museum: Cleveland Museum of Art
Rights: CC0 — no rights reserved

Research suggests that this portrait may depict Elizabeth Boothby (1590–1658), daughter of a prominent London merchant. The jewels in her hair, the silver thread and expensive lace adorning her silk gown, and even the faux marble oval surrounding her image are all signs of wealth and status. Although painted in England, this portrait reflects the traditions of Dutch portraiture, evidence of the fluid artistic exchange that existed between the two countries. Jonson was born in London, received his artistic training in Amsterdam, and spent the last 20 years of his career in the Dutch Republic.