The Molenaer Family of Haarlem

He wasn't the only one.

Rather, Nicolaes Molenaer came from a family of well known Haarlem artists and musicians spanning several generations.

Jan Miense Molenaer,
Family Portrait of Jan Miense Molenaer, c. 1635
oil on panel
24.52 inches x 31.88

Memorialized in a portrait attributed to Nicolaes' older brother, Jan Miense Molenaer, this image captures the likeness of several members of the Molenaer family.

Dated to 1635, this painting was misunderstood for nearly three hundred years. 

Until 1992 it was called Unknown Family Portrait, largely because Molenaer did not date or sign it.

But in 1992, art historian Dennis P. Weller attributed this portrait to Jan Miense Molenaer after a careful study of it in comparison to another Molenaer self portrait entitled Man with Skull, Self Portrait.

Jan Miense Molenaer,
Family Portrait of Jan Miense Molenaer,
close-up

Man with Skull, dated to about 1640, is not without attribution problems of its own but it does appear that the individual in the this portrait strongly resembles the third man from the right in the family portrait. In particular, note the cleft in his chin.

attributed to Jan Miense Molenaer,
Man with Skull, Self Portrait, c. 1640
oil on canvas
34.25 x 26.77 inches

Nicolaes Molenaer,
close-up

Nicolaes Molenaer is also depicted in the family portrait, appearing as the small boy, second from the right.

Thus we have the unique opportunity to view the subject artist as he appeared in childhood.