Portret van een moeder met vier kinderen 1658 - 1677

Wallerant Vaillant's "Portret van een moeder met vier kinderen" (1658-1677), now in the Rijksmuseum, is a striking example of 17th-century Dutch portraiture. The painting depicts a mother and her four children, likely an aristocratic family, in a tender and intimate moment. The mother's gentle gaze, the children's playful expressions, and the soft lighting contribute to the overall sense of familial warmth. Vaillant, known for his refined style, captures the nuances of each subject with meticulous detail, highlighting the delicate features of his subjects. The title, "Charitas," meaning "charity" or "love," further emphasizes the theme of familial bonds and the importance of compassion in Dutch society.