821. A FAMILY GROUP.
Gonzales Coques (Flemish: 1618-1684).
In spite of his Spanish-sounding name, this artist was a pure Fleming. He was born at Antwerp and appears never to have left his native town. His father, whose surname was Cocx, gave the child the name of Gonzalvus: these names the painter afterwards changed to Gonzales Coques. His first master was Peter Breughel (the third painter of that name). He afterwards studied under David Ryckhaert the Elder, whose daughter he married. His first subjects were conversation-pieces and assemblies; but the extraordinary reputation acquired by Van Dyck for his portraits inspired Coques with the ambition to distinguish himself in like manner, although on a smaller scale. There is in the little works of Coques the same air of elegance and refinement which distinguishes Van Dyck. Hence he has been called "the Little Van Dyck." His works, says Bürger, are "Van Dycks seen through the wrong side of the glass"; or as another critic puts it, "Van Dycks in 18mo." They were greatly admired during his lifetime, and he was patronised by Charles I., the Archduke Leopold, and the Prince of Orange. His works, however, are very rare; about half of them are in this country. He was admitted as a master in the Guild of Painters in 1640-41, and twice served as its Dean, in 1665-66 and 1680-81.
Notice the youngest child in the go-cart, which is being pushed by another of the children, whilst the eldest sister, as befits her years, is playing the guitar. And the little dogs, as befits them, are sporting in front. It is pretty of the painter or his sitters to include them in the family group.