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Brothel Scene
Frans van Mieris the Elderc. 1658 - 1659
Mauritshuis
Den Haag, Netherlands
A soldier has his glass topped up by the barmaid. With his other hand, he tries to pull her closer. The glances they exchange and her open cleavage leave us in no doubt, as do the mating dogs behind them on the right – this is a brothel.
This is a highlight in the oeuvre of Frans van Mieris, one of the Leiden ‘fijnschilders’, or fine painters. His amazing technique is displayed well in the barmaid’s clothing and the man’s cuirass.
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Details
- Title: Brothel Scene
- Creator: Mieris the Elder, Frans van
- Date Created: c. 1658 - 1659
- Physical Dimensions: h42.5 cm x w33.3 cm
- Provenance: Possibly Jeronimo de Bosch, Amsterdam and his sale, Amsterdam, 20-21 March 1780 (Lugt 3107), no. 3; possibly Friedrich II of Hessen-Kassel, Kassel (Causid 1783, p. 203, no. 51, contains a description that may refer to this painting); Chaplin Collection, England, 1838; Charles A. Bredel, London, 1839; by inheritance to his daughter, Miss Bredel, London, 1851-1875; her sale, London, 1 May 1875 (Lugt 35622), no. 119 (for 4,300 pounds to Levy); Albert Levy, London; his sale, London, 6 April 1876 (Lugt 36353), no. 12 (for 3,675 pounds to Dudley); William Ward, Earl of Dudley, London, 1876-1892; his sale, London, 25 June 1892 (Lugt 50974), no. 12 (for 3,570 pounds to Steinkopf); Edward, Baron Steinkopf, London, 1892; by inheritance to his daughter, Mary Stewart-Mackenzie, Lady Seaforth, born Steinkopf, London, 1920-1933; Duits Ltd., London, 1935; Fritz Mannheimer, Amsterdam, until 1939; sold to be part of the so-called Führermuseum, Linz, 1941; Dutch Art Heritage Foundation (Stichting Nederlands Kunstbezit), 1946 (inv. no. NK 3114); on loan to the Mauritshuis, 1948-1960; transferred in 1960
- Type: painting; oil
- Medium: panel
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