PROVENANCE: Rathaus, Kleve, before August 29, 1659-before 1841; W. Sissons collection, England, by 1922; Art Market, London; Julius Weitzner, New York, 1963; BJU, 1963.

Flinck was part of Rembrandt's studio and at first closely imitated his style. He later assumed a lighter classical style that patrons loved and that consequently brought him great popularity and wealth. The officials of Amsterdam patronized Flinck more than any other artist, including Rembrandt.

Our painting is a preparatory sketch for the much larger finished canvas which still hangs in its original position in the Amsterdam town hall. Flinck would have shown the present sketch to the town commissioners for approval before working on the final canvas.