The Bellelli Family 1862

"The Bellelli Family" (1862) by Edgar Degas is a monumental portrait depicting the artist’s wife’s family, the Bellellis. The composition features Degas's wife's mother and her two daughters. The painting is notable for its realistic portrayal of the Bellelli family in their home, characterized by its informal pose and naturalistic lighting. The painting has been praised for its composition, its use of color, and its depiction of the Bellelli family’s social and cultural context. The Bellelli family stands in a Parisian home against a backdrop of wallpaper, with a single figure seated at a desk in the background. The painting is located at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.