Who painted Portrait of a family on the terrace?

Portrait of a family on the terrace was painted by Gonzales Coques in 1659.

Where can I see Portrait of a family on the terrace?

Portrait of a family on the terrace is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is Portrait of a family on the terrace?

Portrait of a family on the terrace is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Portrait of a family on the terrace

Gonzales Coques , 1659

Portrait of a family on the terrace is a paint painting by the Rococo painting artist Gonzales Coques. It dates from 1659 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1659, the work titled *Portrait of a Family on the Terrace* is an oil painting by the Flemish artist Gonzales Coques. Executed in the decorative sensibility that would later be identified with the Rococo, the canvas is part of the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin. It presents a domestic group arranged in an outdoor setting, rendered with a refined sense of composition.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows a nuclear family gathered on a stone terrace. The adults sit formally, clothed in dark, richly textured fabrics, while the children stand nearby in lighter garments, a small dog at their feet. The arrangement suggests a harmonious domestic scene, emphasizing social status and familial cohesion within an elegant, leisurely environment.

Technique & Style

Coques employs chiaroscuro to model the figures, using contrasts of light and shadow to give volume and depth. The brushwork is smooth and detailed, especially in the rendering of textiles and the subtle atmospheric blur of the distant trees and architecture. The overall style reflects the influence of Anthony van Dyck, earning Coques the nickname “the little van Dyck.”

History & Provenance

Gonzales Coques, known for both portraiture and history paintings, also dealt in artworks during his career. After its creation in the mid‑17th century, the painting entered various private collections before being acquired by the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s Flemish Baroque holdings.