Portrait of a woman, possibly Anna van Renesse (....-....)

This portrait of a woman possibly identified as Anna van Renesse was painted by Van Thulden in 1651, during the phase of his career when portraiture supplemented his large-scale allegorical and religious commissions. Dutch and Flemish aristocratic women were regular subjects for portrait commissions, and the inclusion of a possible identification — 'possibly Anna van Renesse' — in the title reflects the partial survival of provenance documentation. The Geldersch Landschap en Kasteelen (Gelderland Landscapes and Castles Foundation) holds this work in one of the Netherlands' cultural heritage collections, suggesting the portrait has longstanding regional connections to Gelderland's aristocratic culture. Van Thulden's portrait manner — less celebrated than his historical painting but professionally competent — serves its documentary and commemorative function with assured handling.

The female portrait follows the conventions of the period: three-quarter length, the sitter in her best dress, pearls or jewellery identifying her social rank, a calm and composed expression. Van Thulden manages the decorative elements of mid-century female dress — lace collar, silk bodice, jewelled accessories — with the same material attention he brings to allegorical drapery. The face is modelled with care, achieving individuality within the formal portrait type.