An old woman reading (recto), Figure studies (verso)

A particularly good example of Van Dijck’s draftsmanship, this drawing was bequeathed to Luisa Vertova by Bernard Berenson. The attribution was first proposed by Peter Schatborn in 1995. The very fine penwork and the atmospheric wash can be found in a number of drawings by the artist, who often depicted women, both young and mature, knitting and reading (W. Sumowski, Drawings of the Rembrandt School, New York, 1984, III, nos. 585-586, 593, 594-596, ill.).