Portraits of loved ones are often valued not only as works of art but also as family mementoes. Here the artist paints his own father, posed with a demonstrative gesture that alludes to his activities as a prominent Calvinist preacher and educator. Renesse studied briefly with Rembrandt but gave up painting in 1653 for a career in government service. The earthy tonality and broad brushwork of this portrait reflect Rembrandt’s technique of the 1650s.