Sophie Elisabeth Brenner was Sweden’s first female professional poet. In 1717 she wrote a poem paying homage to the artist Anna Maria Ehrenstrahl: “Although art has sometimes cost us a few hours // There is no better way to remain unforgotten”. The poem is both an expression of professional pride and a defence of the right of women to be artistically active. Martin Mijtens trained in the Netherlands, with the result that his portraits are more intimate in character.