Portraits of members of a family

mid-19th century

Not on view

Portrait albums are rare, and this one, which seems to depict an entire family, is particularly unusual. Several of the men wear “rank badges”—textile squares or circles indicating their official position within the Qing-dynasty government. In each image, objects of refinement—books, fine furniture, scholar’s rocks—are carefully placed around the sitter to indicate his or her sophistication. This album is a touching document of one family’s attempt to record its ideal self-image.

Artwork Details

Title: Portraits of members of a family
Artist: Unidentified artist
Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: mid-19th century
Culture: China
Medium: Album of nineteen leaves; ink and color on silk
Dimensions: 13 1/8 x 14 1/8 in. (33.3 x 35.9 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Anonymous Gift, 1952
Object Number: 52.209.3a–s
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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