Family Portrait (1670) by Richard Brakenburg (1650, Haarlem–1702, Haarlem)The Art Museum RIGA BOURSE
In 17th century Holland, art was an important vehicle in developing social beliefs and values towards family life.
Take your time to look at this painting. What is your first impression?
Ideals of family life
This painting by Richard Brakenburg highlights the Dutch new mentality towards family life when the relationship between parents and children became more intimate.
Portraits of children often feature dogs as their training was considered a good metaphor for raising and educating children. The presence of a dog also highlights family loyalty and trust.
Interior – Dutch middle class
Not to be seen as a faithful record of an existing interior, the objects furnishing this Dutch household provide a glimpse of the ideals of a family home.
The broom resting against the open window on the left relates to the Calvinist teachings on the domestic virtue of cleaning.
Notice the open window. Could it suggest the relationship with outdoor spaces – the local neighbourhood, the city, or the world?
Consider the colours picked by the artist. How many can you notice? Does the use of a limited warm colour palette help create domestic tranquility?
It was common for merchants and well-off citizens to collect paintings.
Owners often displayed their most prized pictures in the main room, such as this landscape hung above the doorway on the right.
Silverware objects on the floor also point to the family status.
Exotic fruits on silverware trays represent wealth and prosperity.
Upbringing of children
As is typical in family portraits, the male figure is seated to the left side of the frame turned to his wife to his left. The child is seated between the parents, near the central focal point of the composition.
The woman is engaged in the supervision of servants and the care of her child.
Family portraits were often purchased by women to incorporate into domestic interiors. Look at the woman’s gaze. In contrast to her husband and child, she is looking out at the viewer. What is her gaze telling you?
Family values
How would a modern family portrait differ from this painting?
What kind of objects would showcase status and family values?
Prepared by the Curator of Education Sandra Ķempele
