The Amsterdam Merchant Jeremias van Collen (1619-1707) with his Wife and their Twelve Children 1655 - 1657

"The Amsterdam Merchant Jeremias van Collen (1619-1707) with his Wife and their Twelve Children" painted between 1655 and 1657 by Pieter van Anraedt is a large-scale family portrait capturing a moment of leisure for the wealthy merchant. Depicted in an expansive outdoor setting, the family is arranged in a formal composition, with the parents centrally positioned and the children scattered around them, some engaged in playful activities. The checkered floor adds a sense of grandeur to the scene, while a grand manor house in the background hints at the family's affluence. The painting exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age tradition of family portraiture, showcasing the success and social standing of the merchant class through both visual details and subject matter.