Portrait of Constantijn Huygens (1596-1687) and his Five Children

Huygens was secretary to the stadholders, a poet and a composer. He was also a family man who took responsibility for part of his children’s upbringing. In 1639, Hanneman painted this portrait of Huygens and his children, portraying them in six medallions surrounded by imitation sculpture. The painting was hung in Huygens’ home, close to the Mauritshuis.

Huygens’ wife Suzanne van Baerle is missing from the portrait. She had died two years previously, after giving birth to their youngest daughter.