MIERIS, Frans van, the Elder
(b. 1635, Leiden, d. 1681, Leiden)

The Serenade

1678-80
Oil on wood, 15 x 11 cm
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Formerly this small painting was attributed to Gerrit Dou, however, the style of the picture and the figure types are entirely consistent with Frans van Mieris's later work. Comparing the painting with the Nocturnal Serenade by Jan Steen, Van Mieris's close associate in Leiden, compositional and thematic similarities can be observed.