A Life Painted in Elegance: George van der Mijn and the Rococo Portrait George van der Mijn, a name perhaps less instantly recognizable than some of his contemporaries, nevertheless occupies a fascinating niche within 18th-century portraiture. Born in London around 1725 – sources vary slightly on the exact year – he was steeped in an artistic atmosphere from birth. His father, Herman van der Mijn, had emigrated from the Dutch Republic to England seeking patronage, establishing himself as a respected painter of portraits and still lifes. This familial foundation proved crucial; George wasn’t…