A Young Woman at Her Toilet with a Maid by Gerard ter Borch in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, January 2010

A Young Woman at Her Toilet with a Maid, ca. 1650–51
Gerard ter Borch (Dutch, 1617–1681)
Oil on wood
18 3/4 x 13 5/8 in. (47.6 x 34.6 cm)
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917 (17.190.10)

While Maes and other Dutch painters depicted dutiful maids and housewives, Ter Borch favored the theme of young women in fashionable attire and elegant interiors. His refined style, subtle interpretations (here the common theme of vanity is brought vividly to life), and success with discerning patrons must have impressed the young Vermeer. In April 1653, the two artists signed a document together, in Delft. At the time, Ter Borch had clients in the neighboring court city of the Hague, although he was evidently based in Amsterdam.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/gnrn/ho_17.190.10.htm