Portret van de familie Baud in hun buitenhuis in Voorburg 1831 - 1832

Raden Saleh painted "Portret van de familie Baud in hun buitenhuis in Voorburg" using oil on canvas. The composition organizes the family in a constructed domestic space, marked by the symmetry of the room and the balanced placement of figures. The family is arranged in a tableau, their poses and attire reflecting their social standing. The use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth, but also emphasizes the rigid formality of the scene. Saleh's attention to detail captures the textures of the clothing and the ornate patterns of the wallpaper, all indicating the family’s wealth. The contrast between the structured interior and the natural landscape visible through the window destabilizes the boundary between the constructed world of social class and the freedom of nature. The painting employs a semiotic system where each element—clothing, posture, setting—functions as a signifier of status and identity. It’s a moment captured, but also a carefully constructed image meant to convey specific cultural values. The ordered arrangement of "Portret van de familie Baud in hun buitenhuis in Voorburg" offers insight into the socio-cultural dynamics of its time. The artwork serves not just as a family portrait but as a complex statement on identity, class and representation.