Families on Display

The family portrait emerged as a distinct genre in the 16th century, but it was never about capturing a happy moment. These paintings were legal documents, political statements, and social advertisements rolled into one canvas. Every pose, outfit, and prop was chosen to project a specific, flattering version of the family.

The arrangement of figures followed strict rules of rank. The patriarch usually took the center, and sons stood closer to their father than daughters did. Where a person was placed announced exactly how much they mattered.