Old Woman with Pearls and Letter (Vanitas)

The old woman dressed in fashionable, expensive clothes lifting a pearl necklace from tray holding valuables and probably handing over a love letter represents vanitas - vanity and ethereality - a favourite theme of the painter. Humpecht Jan Černín acquired the prominent Venetian artist’s painting during his diplomatic mission in Venice (1661 - 1663) and later had it depicted in his drawn inventory.