Lot 954: 17th century Dutch portrait, said to be of Anna

17th century Dutch portrait, said to be of Anna Maria van Schurman (1607-1678), unsigned, attributed to Jan Jansz, called de Stomme, Dutch, 1615-1657, oil on oak panel, 27-3/4 x 21-3/8 in.; carved black lacquered frame; lot accompanied by Joyce Irwin's book, Anna Maria Van Schurman: Whether a Christian Woman Should be Educated..., University of Chicago Press, 1998. Panel cradled, craquelure, scattered retouch in background obscured by varnish; frame with some finish losses.

Provenance: Collection of Jacques Goudstikker, Amsterdam, Purchased in The Hague, early 1970s; Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Alderson Magee.

An advocate of women's education, Anna Maria van Schurman was considered to be the greatest female intellect of the 17th century. She often engaged Europe's leading intellectuals in debate and was also known for her accomplishments in languages, philosophy, poetry and painting. Our thanks to Dr. Fred Meijer, Curator, Department of Old Netherlandish Painting, The Netherlands Institute for Art History (RKD), for his comments on a suggested attribution to Jan Jansz.