Open full image Pin

The daughters of Sir Matthew Decker, Bart.

Jan de Meyer

1718

oil

canvas

From the collection of Fitzwilliam Museum

18th Century Portrait

Dominant colour

The daughters of Sir Matthew Decker, Bart. is a 1718 oil by Jan de Meyer, held at Fitzwilliam Museum.

Who painted this?: Jan de Meyer
When & what style?: 1718
Where can I see it?: Fitzwilliam Museum

About this work

This painting shows four young girls sitting at a table, surrounded by fruit and a red rug. The girls are dressed in 18th-century clothing, with the two on the left wearing blue and gray dresses, and the two on the right wearing yellow and orange dresses. The table is adorned with a basket of fruit, including apples and pineapples, and the rug has a colorful pattern. The girls are arranged in a formal pose, with the two on the left looking directly at the viewer, while the two on the right look slightly to the side. The background of the painting is dark and muted, with a hint of a landscape visible through an archway. The painting is a beautiful example of 18th-century portraiture, with intricate details and a sense of elegance. To learn more about the artist's technique, look up "glazing".