Mierevelt was one of the more sought-after portraitists in The Hague, although he was born and died in Delft, and he kept a large workshop in order to satisfy all his customers. Many of his portraits also betray the hand of a pupil. This, however, is one of the most powerful and moving of all Mierevelts portraits of old men and must be entirely his own work. One of his more well-known students is Anthonie Palamedesz also represented in the Hallwyl Collection. The painting is signed to the left: M Mierevelt Aetatis 80 Ao1624.