In fact, it was made in the
studio with each person sitting separately for
his or her portrait, and the final effect is almost
like a photographic collage. It has been very
carefully constructed and is composed of three
triangles; the relationships set up by these triangles
may tell us about the people within the painting.
We do not know for sure who these people are,
but the central triangle may contain the mother
and her three children. The two outer triangles
may contain (on the far left) an older, less dependent
child and (on the far right) older members of
the family.
One of the first things that we notice is how
each person’s individuality is emphasised
through colour, dress and accessories. There is
a sense that they are dressed in their best clothes,
with braids, trimmings, headgear and gold buttons,
in order to have their portrait painted. Many
of them are also holding objects which may be
particularly dear to them, make them feel more
‘dressed-up’, or which may symbolise
certain things. For example, dogs are often symbols
of faithfulness and the rose is often a symbol
of love. The fact that the central female holds
a rose may lead us to question whether she is
married and where her husband might be. |
