Portrait of a lady, half-length, in a black dress with lace trim and pearl ornaments

Stylistically close to Delft portraitist Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt (1567-1641), van Ravesteyn was one of the most successful Netherlandish portrait painters of the first half of the seventeenth century. He worked primarily on The Hague, where he painted the well-to-do and the ruling classes. His sitters are often depicted with rich costumes in the latest fashion, intentionally alluding to their wealth and status.
Alfred Morrison, M.P. (1821-1887) was an outstanding collector of autograph letters and documents. He was also an active picture buyer, with a particular interest in portraits of historic and literary figures.