Portrait of a Woman  1663

This older woman, in lace collar, pearl necklace, and cut-stone earrings, holds open a fashionable pocket watch. The meaning is only clear when seen with Nason's portrait of her husband (Dulwich Picture Gallery, London), also dated 1663. The velvet curtain and the marble column reflect wealth, but the book and skull before the husband are to be "read" with the watch: the c...