Lot 2: Gonzales Coques (1618-1684), Circle, Family Portrait, 17th C.

A preferred portrait painter of the Antwerp bourgeoisie, Gonzales Coques (1618-1684) painted numerous family portraits that influenced significantly his artistic circle. Here is a typical 17th century portrait made by a painter from the circle of Coques, in which are featured the family members and their status in society. At the same time, the portrait becomes a Memento Mori through the memoires that holds the family head in hand.

Condition
The painting is overall in good condition, showing slight abrasion, paint losses to the margins and fine craquelure. In the lower area, there is a horizontal crease or pressure mark, which was reinforced on the relined canvas on the reverse. The inspection under UV light reveals some minor and major areas of retouching to the figures and the background, especially to the horizontal line. The frame shows light wear. The size of the painting is 138 x 185 cm, and the frame measures 153 x 200 cm.

Gonzales Coques (1618-1684)
Gonzales Coques studied with Pieter Breughel the Younger and David Ryckaert the Elder. Around 1640/41, he became a member of the Guild of St. Luke in Antwerp. Coques stood in the service of Charles I of England, Frederik Hendrik of Orange and Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria. He was a popular portraitist and painted mostly small-format portraits in the style of Anton von Dyck, so that he was nicknamed ‘Little van Dyck’. Works of Coques are found in major museum collections, including the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels. (cko)

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