Anna van Thielen with her Daughter Anna Maria Rombouts,

Theodoor Rombouts (1597–1637, see inv. no. 603), whose work includes religious history paintings and genre scenes in the style of Caravaggio, leans self-assuredly over the armrest of his chair. His wife, Anna van Thielen, on the other hand, seems more reserved—like their daughter, Anna Maria, who, with the typical shyness of little children in the presence of strangers, snuggles up to her mother for protection. Van Dyck’s extraordinary skill—that extended way beyond his time—in depicting children not as small adults but while capturing their childish personalities, is particularly striking here.