Self-portrait with the Portrait of his Wife, Margaretha van Rees, and their Daughter Maria

Adriaen van der Werff, a celebrated Dutch painter of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, created this intimate family portrait, "Self-portrait with the Portrait of his Wife, Margaretha van Rees, and their Daughter Maria," in 1699. Known for his refined style, Van der Werff often depicted mythological, devotional, and erotic scenes, but he was also a skilled portraitist. This painting offers a rare glimpse into his personal life, capturing himself alongside his wife and daughter. At this point in his career, Van der Werff was gaining significant European recognition, having already attracted the patronage of powerful figures like Johann Wilhelm, Elector Palatine, who would later appoint him as his official court painter. This self-portrait, created just a few years before that prestigious appointment, reflects the meticulous detail and smooth finish that characterized his work, a style that was highly prized by his aristocratic patrons across Europe, including the Medicis. While his reputation waned in the 19th century, this painting stands as a testament to his mastery and the personal side of an artist who achieved immense fame and fortune in his lifetime.