Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany
Mieris had numerous and distinguished patrons. He received valuable commissions from [[Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor|Archduke Leopold, the elector-palatine]], and [[Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany]]. His practice was large and lucrative, but never engendered in him either carelessness or neglect. If there be a difference between the painter's earlier and later work, it is that the former was clearer and more delicate in flesh, whilst the latter was often darker and more livid in the shadows. When he died his clients naturally went over to his son Willem, who in turn bequeathed his painting-room to his son Frans. But neither Willem nor [[Frans van Mieris the Younger]] equalled Frans the elder.