Frans Hals painted a large number of superb likenesses of members of Haarlem’s upper class: he clearly knew how to satisfy the demands of his eminent patrons. Maritge Vooght, wife of the mayor Pieter Olycan, is here portrayed in a traditional pose, proudly sitting upright and looking straight out at the viewer. Hals noted her age, 62, at left. Her coat of arms was added later by a different hand.