George van der Mijn (London, 1723-1763, Amsterdam), Portrait of Elisabeth Troost (1730-1790), 1758. Oil on canvas, 45.7 x 54.7 cm © Mauritshuis, Netherlands

Elisabeth Troost was the daughter of the painter Cornelis Troost. At the age of 28, she married Cornelis Ploos van Amstel, with whom she had been acquainted for years, as he was a collector of her father’s work. The bride and groom had their portraits painted by Van der Mijn, who portrayed Elisabeth in a household setting at the tea table. The Chinese porcelain, satin fabrics and ermine emphasise her refined taste and high position in the Amsterdam bourgeoisie.