Zelfportret van David (II) Teniers met zijn familie op een bordes 1747

Jacques Philippe Le Bas created this print, "Self-Portrait of David Teniers (II) with his Family on a Balcony," sometime in the 18th century. It offers us a glimpse into the domestic life of a prominent artist of the time. David Teniers, surrounded by his family, plays the cello, seemingly embodying the role of the cultivated patriarch. Yet, if we consider this image through a wider lens, it reflects the societal expectations placed upon artists. During this period, artistic success was entwined with demonstrating familial stability and refinement. The presence of Teniers' family serves not only as a portrait but as a statement of his social standing. What does it mean to perform an identity for the sake of patronage? The performative nature of family portraits invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between private life and public image.