One of the Family 1880

Frederick George Cotman painted ‘One of the Family’ at a time when rural life was idealized. This domestic scene is rendered with warmth and careful detail, and offers a glimpse into the family and class structures of late 19th-century England. The painting offers a portrait of a family at mealtime, but also hints at the labor on which their lives depend. Note the figures present: generational roles are represented by the children, mother, and grandmother. Gender roles appear as the women tend to the children and the father is seen at work. While the family eats, they offer a share to their working horse who peers through the window. Even the family dog patiently awaits a treat. Cotman invites us to consider the relationships between humans and animals, labor and leisure. What does it mean to treat a working animal as "one of the family," especially when that family is dependent on its labor? What does the painting tell us about the people and animals who are included, and those who are excluded?