Portrait of a Woman, possibly Elizabeth Boothby

by Cornelis Jonson (called Jonson van Ceulen)

Also known as: Portrait of a Lady

About the Artwork

Research suggests that this portrait may depict Elizabeth Boothby (1590–1658), daughter of a prominent London merchant. The jewels in her hair, the silver thread and expensive lace adorning her silk gown, and even the faux marble oval surrounding her image are all signs of wealth and status. Although painted in England, this portrait reflects the traditions of Dutch portraiture, evidence of the fluid artistic exchange that existed between the two countries. Jonson was born in London, received his artistic training in Amsterdam, and spent the last 20 years of his career in the Dutch Republic.

Inscriptions

Signed lower right: "JC fecit. / 1619" [JC in monogram]

Exhibition history

Year in Review: 1973. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (January 30-March 17, 1974).

Quick Overview

Artist: Cornelis Jonson (called Jonson van Ceulen) (British, 1593–1661)
Date: 1619
Medium: oil on wood
Dimensions: Framed: 93.5 x 78 x 5 cm (36 13/16 x 30 11/16 x 1 15/16 in.); Unframed: 65.7 x 56 cm (25 7/8 x 22 1/16 in.)
Type: Painting
Classification: Painting
Department: European Painting and Sculpture
Credit line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Noah L. Butkin
Accession no.: 1973.185

Provenance

By 1917: E. C. Knight, London (sale: Christie's, London, 29 Jan. 1917, no. 45, evidently bought in by family for 80 Gns.) By 1947: Colonel G. M. Knight, consigned to Christie's, London, in 1947 1947: (Christie's, London, 17 Oct. 1947, no. 47, sold to Goldblatt for 90 Gns.) 1947 - ?: Goldblatt By 1971: Central Picture Galleries, New York, sold to Mr. and Mrs. Noah L. Butkin 1971 - 1973: Mr. and Mrs. Noah L. Butkin, by gift to the Cleveland Museum of Art, 1973. 1973 -: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

Data retrieved from the Cleveland Museum of Art on October 8, 2026. The museum may have updated its record since.