ABSTRACT
This contribution to our memorial festschrift for Michael Montias might strike some readers as odd because it lies so far beyond the parameters of his own research interests. Nevertheless it seemed highly suitable to me for the following reasons. It is based upon materials that I had collected during the mid-1980s while living in the Netherlands where I was conducting research for my doctoral dissertation. Michael was also there frequently during this time, diligently engaged in work on his various book projects, including his now-classic study Vermeer and His Milieu. In fact, during the winter of 1985-86, he generously provided much needed support and guidance as I dauntingly faced my first experience of working in Amsterdam’s municipal archives. Michael and I wound up spending much time together and at one point I shared with him some of the material that comprises the short essay that you are about to read. So I could not think of a more fitting tribute to Michael both as a colleague and friend than to offer some observations about an unusual painting by Gonzales Coques.
