# Woman at a Mirror

- By: Gerard ter Borch (II) (Zwolle, 1617–1681)
- Date: c. 1650
- Medium: panel, oil paint (paint)
- Classification: painting
- Dimensions: height 36.5 cm x width 28.5 cm
- Credit line: De Bruijn-van der Leeuw Bequest, Muri, Switzerland
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/SK-A-4039--8791912c6a41ba132fc543660ef1f9d9)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://iiif.micr.io/hXWwz/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

A young boy holds up a mirror for the woman in the satin gown, who gazes upward at a far more plainly dressed woman. In the 17th century, mirrors symbolized vanity and the transience of life. This painting serves as a cautionary reminder: youth and beauty are fleeting. Ter Borch’s sister, Gesina, also an artist, probably modelled for both women, and his brother Moses for the boy.