Portrait of the imperial goldsmith Willem de Herde (?-1677) with his family
1669
oil
From the collection of Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
1669
oil
From the collection of Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
In the painting, a family is gathered around a table. The father, Willem de Herde, stands on the left, while his wife and children are seated or standing around him. The family is dressed in formal attire, with the father wearing a dark coat and the mother wearing a white dress with blue sleeves. The family is surrounded by various objects, including a tablecloth, a book, and a candle. The background of the painting is dark, which helps to highlight the family and their surroundings. The use of chiaroscuro in this painting creates a sense of depth and dimensionality, drawing the viewer's eye to the family and their interactions. To learn more about this technique, look up chiaroscuro.
