_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.