De landschapschilder Dirk Dalens III (1688-1753) met zijn tweede echtgenote Maria Schaack (gest. 1766) en de kinderen Anna (geb 1725), Willem (1737-60) en Jacobus (1741-63)

About this artwork

…; collection Jonkheer C.H.C.A. van Sypesteyn (1857-1937), Loosdrecht;{De Vries et al. 2002, p. 80, image 81.}…; the dealer B. Houthakker, Amsterdam, 1947;{Amsterdam 1947, p. 17, no. 37.} from whom, fl. 2,700, to the museum, 1949

Art Historical Context

This charming family portrait, painted in 1746 by Cornelis Troost (1696–1750), captures the landscape painter Dirk Dalens III (1688–1753) with his second wife, Maria Schaack (d. 1766), and their children Anna (b. 1725), Willem (1737–60), and Jacobus (1741–63). Measuring 73 × 59 cm, the work exemplifies Troost's skill in intimate group portraits, a specialty of this Dutch Rococo master known for his lively, expressive style influenced by theater and contemporary French art. Though the medium is noted simply as "brush," it reflects the refined oil techniques typical of 18th-century Netherlands, bringing warmth and personality to the sitters. Created during a period when family portraits celebrated domestic life among artists and the bourgeoisie, this painting offers a glimpse into the personal world of Dalens, a noted landscapist. Troost's brushwork likely emphasizes natural poses and subtle character details, making the scene feel candid and affectionate rather than stiffly formal. The children's varying ages—from toddler Jacobus to young adult Anna—add a tender narrative of family growth. Acquired by the Rijksmuseum in 1949 after passing through distinguished collections like that of Jonkheer C.H.C.A. van Sypesteyn and dealer B. Houthakker, this piece holds cultural value as a preserved snapshot of artistic lineage and 18th-century Dutch domesticity. Visitors will appreciate its human scale and emotional resonance.

About the Artist

Cornelis Troost · 1696–1750

Comment on works: Portraits; Genre