In this work, we see the painter Francesco Riva portrayed with his English wife Mary Newcombe and their children, Felice, aged 13, and Luigi, aged 10. Francesco Riva had entered Guercino’s workshop as a young man and collaborated with the master’s heirs, Benedetto and Cesare Gennari.  
It was Francesco Riva who accompanied Benedetto Gennari on his travels to Paris and London, where he became “wardrobe master” of Queen Maria Beatrice d’Este. It was also Francesco who, in 1688, organised the flight of the Royal family to France, following the invasion of London by William of Orange's army. Benedetto Gennari portrayed his friend during the years of the French sojourn: the painter displays great care in rendering the details, like the refinement of the lace and silk of the woman's garment. The psychological sensitivity in capturing this sweet family scene is remarkable: the mother’s shyness, the youngest son’s smile, the expression of the affectionate husband looking at his wife and the gesture of protection towards the eldest son, who turns his gaze to the observer while stroking the family dog.