Artwork
Jubileumportret van de familie De San
Jubileumportret van de familie De San is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Gerardus de San. It dates from 1773 and is held in the collection of the Groeningemuseum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1773, this oil on canvas portrait by Gerardus de San is part of the collection of the Groeningemuseum. The work presents a domestic interior populated by a seated woman and a standing man, both engaged with documents, set against a stone fireplace and a modestly furnished room.
Subject & Meaning
The figures appear to be members of the De San family, positioned in a formal setting that suggests a commemorative or contractual occasion. The man's red coat with gold buttons and the woman's white dress and black skirt convey status, while the presence of a dog at the doorway adds a domestic, loyal motif often associated with family portraiture.
Technique & Style
De San employs chiaroscuro to model the figures, allowing light from an unseen source to illuminate the faces and clothing against darker surroundings. The contrast between the bright textiles and the muted stone fireplace creates depth, while the careful rendering of textures—fabric, wood, and stone—demonstrates the artist’s command of oil paint.
History & Provenance
Recorded under catalogue number Q22246321, the portrait has remained in the public domain since its acquisition by the Groeningemuseum. Its provenance traces back to the De San family, for whom it was likely commissioned as a jubilee record, preserving both their likenesses and their social standing for posterity.
Artist & collection
