Portrait of Catharina van Braam Houckgeest, anonymous, c. 1790
When Andreas Everardus van Braam Houckgeest looked in this mirror in Canton, he was briefly reunited with his wife, Catharina, who had stayed behind in the Netherlands. The two women at the lower left mourn a Dutch ship setting sail, while the anchor at the right symbolizes hope. The inscription translates as: ‘Our good wishes accompany he who departs.’