Description

This painting belongs to a series of portraits representing the five senses and each depicting a daughter of a wealthy family from Amsterdam. This portrait of 11-year-old Elizabeth Spiegel, who holds a recorder in her hands, represents the sense of hearing. Her gown of costly satin and pearl ornaments proclaims her family's prosperity, and the imported ostrich feathers from Africa indicate Amsterdam's role as an international trade center.

Provenance

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio (1975-); Noah L. [1918-1980] and Muriel S. Butkin [1915-1998], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art (c. 1972-1975); (Art dealer, United States, probably sold to Noah L. and Muriel S. Butkin) 1 (1972); (Sale, Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, Nov. 3, 1972, no. 38, sold to an American art dealer) (1972); Estate of private collector, consigned to Sotheby Parke Bernet (Until 1972); Private collection (After 1916-by 1972); (M. Knoedler & Co., New York, probably sold to a private collector) 1 (After 1916); J.T. or J.F. Drake 1 (1916-); (Sale, Anderson Galleries, New York, April 3-5, 1916, no. 152, illus. p. 42, sold to J.T. or J.F. Drake) 1 (1916); William Macbeth, New York, consigned to the Anderson Galleries 1 (1895-1916); J.L. Muyser or possibly another private collector, Holland 1 (1883-1895); (Royer-Kerst and Muyser sale, Nahuys-Hodgson, Amsterdam, Nov. 14, 1883, no. 142, MS addition to sales catalogue by Victor Stuers) (1883); M. Muyser, The Hague 1 (Until 1883)