We are indebted to Monsieur Hervé Douxchamps for identifying the sitters. Augustin de Gottignies, the son of Lancelot de Gottignies and Jeanne van de Laen, was the Secretary of the Privy Council. His wife, Marguerite Verreycken, was the daughter of Louis Verreycken, who was knighted in 1596, Speaker at the Court of the Archdukes, Adviser to the Council of War and Treasurer for the Order of the Golden Fleece, and of his wife Louise Micault.

The supports are branded with the coat-of-arms of the city of Antwerp and stamped with the maker's mark of Guilliam Gabron (active c.1616/17- c.1644/5), one of the leading panel makers of his day in Antwerp