Portrait of a Boy in Classical Dress with a Bullfinch and Spaniel c. 1670

Nicolaes Maes’s *Portrait of a Boy in Classical Dress with a Bullfinch and Spaniel* (c. 1670) is a Dutch Golden Age portrait painting depicting a young boy dressed in a pink and red outfit, holding a bullfinch and a spaniel. This work exemplifies Maes’s mastery of realistic portraiture and his focus on intimate domestic scenes. The boy's confident gaze and the playful interaction between the animals create a sense of warmth and familiarity, captivating the viewer. Maes's choice of a simple, dark background highlights the boy's attire and the bright colors, adding depth and dimension to the composition.