Family Group

"Family Group,” by Jan van Dalem combines portraiture, genre activity, and landscape in one scene. The mother, father, and their two children, engaged in activities, are depicted in a veranda space in the foreground overlooking a lush outdoor landscape in the background. There is a depth of allegorical meaning in van Dalem’s “Family Group.” The mother, testing the balance of the scales, is a metaphor for her domestic responsibilities and managing the household finances. Contrary to conventions of Western portraiture van Dalem positions the wife to the right of her husband, perhaps reflecting the internal dynamic of the couple’s relationship. The husband holds wheat in his left hand and a string of pearls in his right. Traditionally, wheat has been understood as a reference to fecundity, while pearls have been viewed as a symbol of virtue. Prior interpretation of this painting suggest including these symbols in “Family Group” reflects the material wealth of the family.