These three were running around in an exhibition about old money in Friesland. To cool them down, I asked if they just wanted to stop for three children's portraits from 1622. Especially because the girl in the middle rather resembled the portrait behind her. It worked.
Here a better look on the portraits (photo from Biebkriebels) The left one is Johannes van der Laen and in the middle his brother Sixtus van der Laen (2 years old). Right Erardus 15 month old. (In total Sixtus had 6 brothers and 3 sisters). In those days it was common for boys to their 7th year running around in dresses. Their parents were among the five richest families of Friesland. Father was Thierry van der Laen (mayor of Mechelen) and mother Catharine de Liaukama. Now everyone can grab a telephone or camera to make a portrait but in those times only the very rich were capable to give an artist (in this case Wybrandt de Geest) an assignment to portrait their kids.
Yes times are changed indeed.
Brilliant idea to photograph the kids! Sounds like they were rather acting like royalty,too. :-)
BeantwoordenVerwijderenGreat pictures. Love your idea.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI like the little girl's outfit. How did you ever manage to get them to pose? Bribery? This makes me wonder how you get a 2 year old to stand still long enough to paint their portrait?
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI like the idea of photographing the children with the portraits of children. The result is quite good. :)
BeantwoordenVerwijderenWhat a great idea for a portrait photo. It works beautifully.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenBorn into wealth and royalty seems all so perfect. Too bad I was born into among the poorest chinese family in a foreign country, still struggling to survive after 50 years.
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