The sitter is the same as in another portrait (Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum), & as in an etched portrait by Godfried Schalcken, who was Dou's pupil. This picture was probably painted in about 1635-40 when Dou was in his mid-twenties. X-radiographs have revealed that the portrait was painted over another portrait head, not an uncommon practice in artists' studios at the time.