Notes

Antoon Francois Heyligers, born in 1828, was an artist who immediately sought his inspiration in the Dutch genre paintings of the 17th century. His finely painted interiors and figure paintings in particular are reminiscent of the work of Peter de Hooch in terms of atmosphere and subject matter. In the use of colour and the elaboration of the figures, he shows himself to be an independent and skilled painter. Heyligers was born in the Dutch East Indies and subsequently lived and worked mainly in Brussels and The Hague.

The lady in this painting is in fact his wife, who was the sister of the painter Charles Grips. Objects and artefacts from both their ateliers can be found in the background of this picture. The wallpaper in the background is from the Castle of Hoensbroek in the Netherlands.