Hi Jennifer, the painting is full of items suggesting the intellectual and religious issues of the time. Commentators are still arguing about the precise meaning

Great to hear you're enjoying the articles, Bruce!

Jennifer, very kind of you to say so!

It can be tricky!

Hi Arseny, the close-up seems to me to make it clear that she is looking down and sharply to her right (our left), but it's interesting how perceptions often differ in these things

I think just privately-held

Yes, and it's quite a refined shape, looks a little out of character