Van der Helst's work features a substantial variety of poses, attributes and backgrounds. His works are powerful, but finely painted and display an array of brilliant, harmonising colours. His paintings are often large in size, making them admirably suited to the new patrician houses that were appearing along the canals. A richly-worked frame - this example features a coat of arms - was an ideal way for this young generation of self-confident Amsterdammers to emphasise their status.