Like Boldini, Sargent and Sorolla, Antonio de La Gandara was a popular portrait painter at the turn of the century. His mastery of the human form was developed in the studio of Jean Léon Gérôme. He was a frequent participant in the Paris Salon, and also exhibited at the Exposition Universelle, where he was awarded a bronze medal in 1889 and a gold medal in 1900.

Our picture is a fine example of de La Gandara's portrait style. While the sitters are unknown, the monumental size of the canvas, and the care taken in depicting this family with their dog, suggest that they were important patrons of the artist.