Family Group 1668

Rembrandt van Rijn made this painting of a family group using oil on canvas. The richness in tone, light and shadow in the Family Group is testament to Rembrandt's technique of applying thin glazes of oil paint, built up in layers. The material qualities of oil paint allowed him to rework the composition as he went, as is evident in the blurred lines and textured surfaces of the painting. There is a lot of work in a painting like this, and a lot of expense too – not just the cost of the canvas and pigments, but also the time required of the artist, and the labour involved in preparing the materials. Oil paint was made by hand, requiring a great deal of mixing and grinding to achieve the right consistency and color, and it was very difficult to master its properties. Acknowledging the material and labor involved in Rembrandt's process helps us appreciate the artist's skill, and see that the Family Group is as much a product of his craft as it is a reflection of the lives of the family portrayed.