The Van Moerkerken Family 1653 - 1654

Gerard ter Borch the Younger’s "The Van Moerkerken Family" (1653-1654) is a quintessential example of Dutch Golden Age portraiture. This intimate portrait depicts the Van Moerkerken family, likely a wealthy merchant couple and their child, in a domestic setting. The painting is known for its delicate brushwork, subtle light, and elegant composition, emphasizing the family’s refinement and social standing. The inclusion of the family’s coat of arms at the top adds further to the work’s celebratory tone and reinforces the importance of family and lineage in 17th-century Dutch society.