Family Portrait 1737 - 1778

This is Georg David Matthieu’s “Family Portrait,” a pastel drawing made during the late 18th century. It depicts a family of means in a domestic interior. The image presents a tableau of wealth and lineage, signaled by their elaborate clothing and the arrangement of family members in a seemingly natural yet carefully constructed composition. The children's attire mirrors that of adults, reflecting the era’s expectations that children, particularly those of the aristocracy, perform their family’s social status. Gender roles are subtly enforced, with the boys engaged in what appears to be a craft while the girls are poised and observant. The gaze of each family member differs, yet the emotional heart of this piece lies in the way the family presents a united front, a legacy for the future. The artist captures the nuances of familial identity, subtly questioning how societal expectations shape personal expression, and how the concept of family is a construct of power.