Agnes Block (1629–1704) is portrayed here with her second husband, the silk merchant Sybrand de Flines (1623–1697), and two children. From 1676 Agnes lived at her country estate Vijverhof on the River Vecht, where she laid out a botanical garden. She succeeded in growing pineapples – seen here on the far left – after this fruit was introduced from Surinam in 1680. She also bred birds which she asked artists to draw. In the background you can see an aviary and a greenhouse. The items on and around the table represent the couple’s interest in art and nature. Jan Weenix worked in Utrecht and Amsterdam. Like his father, Jan Baptist Weenix, he specialized in painting game still lifes, landscapes and portraits