Aelbert Cuyp (Dutch, 1620–1691), Portrait of Anna Blocken, 1649. Oil on panel, 67.31 x 56.52 x 0.79 cm (panel). Minneapolis Institute of Art, The John R. Van Derlip Fund, 46.12.

This painting was the pendant, or partner, to a male portrait in the National Gallery, London, so we can conclude that it was originally an octagon. According to an inscription on the paintings, they were both created in 1649, when the woman was 49 years old and the man was 56. The only upper-crust couple from the city of Dordrecht whose birth years are known to correspond is Anna Blocken and her husband, Cornelis van Someren, a prominent physician. This identification is supported by the fact that the couple had connections to several of the artist’s other patrons. Cornelis died the same year that his portrait was made. Anna lived until 1671.

Conservation of this picture was made possible by a generous contribution from Paula Vesely through the Art Champions program.