Portrait of a Family Playing Music

1663

Pieter de Hooch

(Dutch, 1629–1684)

Culture

Netherlands

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

Framed: 124.5 x 142.5 x 7 cm (49 x 56 1/8 x 2 3/4 in.); Unframed: 98.7 x 116.7 cm (38 7/8 x 45 15/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of the Hanna Fund 1951.355

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Location

215 French, German, and Dutch

Did You Know?

During this period, the Dutch Republic was the richest, most urbanized nation.

Description

The identity of the sitters remains unknown, although the marble floor and mantelpiece, the Transylvanian prayer rug on the table, and the silk clothes all point to the family’s considerable wealth. Furthermore, the richly carved chest at the right supports Chinese vases and Japanese lacquered boxes, a reference to the flourishing Dutch trade with Asia. Music making often took place at home, and its appearance here also signifies the harmoniousness of the family.