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HALS, Frans                     1580-1666

6918
15417
16688

[[underlined]] Portrait of Elizabeth (or Isabella) van der Meeren [[/underlined]]
Canvas, 25-1/2 x 32-3/8
Inscribed left center: "Aetat. 62. 1650"

Elizabeth, or Isabella, van der Meeren was born in 1588. She was married in Utrecht October 28, 1604 to Jonkheer Willem Adriaan, Seigneur of Kessel, afterward Count de Hornes (Hoorn). He was general in the United Netherlands Army. From research made in the Dutch archives, among various branches of the family of the wife of the 2nd Early of Cholmondeley, there is every reason to believe the portrait represents the above mentioned lady.
The following is a copy of a letter from A. Bredius:
"Dear Mr. C.                 The Hague, Sept. 28/22.
"Many thanks to have allowed me to admire that magnificent Hals, the Old Lady, who has been 'resuscite' by de Wild. I am always so glad that so beautiful and well conditioned pictures come into hands who leave them pure and intact. What a beautiful red on the glove, how 'savant' to 'faire l'equilibre' with the red cheeks.
"I am in a great hurry - you know my address.
Monaco, Villa Evelque, 12 Bd. de Belgique
Yours sincerely,
(signed) A. Bredius"
REPRODUCED: Burlington Magazine, May 1922, page 225, with an article by Alec Martin, page 224
do. in "Frans Hals" by Dulberg, 1930, page 199, and described as follows page 200: