Grandfather's Portrait, from "Illustrated London News" 1862

"Grandfather's Portrait", from "Illustrated London News" is an engraving made by William Luson Thomas. The image reflects the Victorian era's focus on domesticity and sentimental familial bonds. In this scene we see a family gathered around a table, examining a portrait. The grandfather stands at the head of the table, literally and figuratively at the head of the family. While on one hand the scene emphasizes the importance of legacy and ancestry, it also speaks to the ways in which photographic reproduction allowed for the democratization of portraiture and a new way to solidify family ties. The gaze of the figures is directed towards the image, highlighting the act of looking and remembering, central themes in Victorian society, especially as industrialization and urbanization began to reshape traditional family structures. The print's circulation in the "Illustrated London News" further amplified its reach, shaping and reflecting societal values around family, memory, and identity.