The facade of Keizersgracht 187 is the background to this portrait of book dealer and art collector Jan de Groot (1733-1801) with his nine-year old daughter, Margaretha Elisabeth and his mother, Margaretha Steenmulders. De Groot’s move to this imposing mansion on the Keizersgracht in 1777 may account for the commission to Hendrik Pothoven. The art collection in his house depicted here contained some urban scenes by this painter. Since Margaretha Steenmulders died in Spring 1777, her portrait may have been painted posthumously. Margaretha Elisabeth, the daughter, married in 1788. After her father’s death, his collection was auctioned in 1804; this painting however remained in the family.