Dutch Family

Location

Country: Netherlands
City: The Hague
Place: British Embassy

The identity of the artist and sitters in this group portrait, have yet to be identified. The painting was removed from a wall panel at No. 18 Collingham Gardens, near Earls Court in London.

The houses of Collingham Gardens (built 1883–88) were designed by Ernest George and Harold Peto, progressive domestic architects. Their designs are said to have been ‘inspired by the old Flemish and German town houses’. Architect Robert Kerr, writing in 1884 on the progression of architecture, pointed out that the architect was increasingly considering ‘minor art work, which is part and parcel of his scheme and which he must himself design and control …there may be even set pictures and statuary sometimes.’ It is not implausible that architects had this work installed to complement the Dutch-style of architecture.

During the early 20th century, 18 Collingham Gardens was occupied by a family named Dales. A Mr J. D. Crump resided there in 1937 but by 1945 the building was in use as a hostel for ‘Colonial Women Students’. The property was later owned by the Department of the Environment and leased to the British Council until 1970. That year this work was removed before the building was converted to a home for retired police officers.

People

Dutch family) unknown family , unknown man , unknown woman , unknown boy , unknown girl

Places

Subjects

group portrait, landscape C17th, Flemish School, moustache, Dutch, Flemish, boy, man, woman, girl, 17th century costume, ruff, collar, fan, van dyke collar, family, husband, wife, mother, father, sister, brother, child, pillar (architectural feature), curtain

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

Flemish 17th century unknown

Title

Dutch Family

Date

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 135.00 cm, width: 160.00 cm

Acquisition

Transferred from the Department of the Environment, Property Services Agency, November 1970

Inscription

none visible

Provenance

Formerly at No.18 Collingham Gardens, London, SW5 (Building maintained by the Victoria League as the Colonial Girls’ Club, on behalf of the Colonial Office. Building formerly owned by the Property Services Agency and Department of the Environment.)

GAC number

12078