Gerard Ter Borch
Gerard ter Borch (also known as Gerard Terburg) was an influential and pioneering Dutch genre painter who lived in the Dutch Golden Age.
In the painting we present today, we see how the impeccably groomed young woman glances up questioningly at an older woman in dark clothing. Did she receive some bad news? Something about her lover? The lady’s facial expression is clear to see in the mirror before her and she seems to be shocked. Although we don't know the story depicted on the painting, we know that typically for the Dutch Golden Age painters, ter Borch has imbued the scene with deeper meaning, for the mirror signifies vanity and the transience of life. The message conveyed here is that beauty and youth will ultimately fade.
P.S. Here's another mysterious genre scene by ter Borch, Gallant Conversation. Let's delve into the possible meaning behind it.