Conversation in the family 

Pietro Longhi created this oil on canvas, entitled 'Conversation in the Family,' sometime in the 18th century. It presents an intriguing tableau of wealth and social order in Venice. Longhi gives us a window into the lives of the Venetian elite. Notice the opulence in the clothing and the domestic interior, with the family dog as a signifier of status. These details offer insights into the values and priorities of the upper class in 18th-century Venice. The very act of commissioning such a painting speaks volumes about the family's desire to project a certain image of themselves. Longhi here gently satirizes the rituals and customs of the wealthy, subtly critiquing their self-importance. Historical sources, such as letters, diaries, and account books, can enrich our understanding of this painting. These allow us to examine Longhi's work not just as a static image but as a cultural artifact embedded in a specific time and place.