The Van Moerkerken Family 1653 - 1654

Editor: This is "The Van Moerkerken Family," a family portrait rendered in oil paint by Gerard ter Borch, created between 1653 and 1654. It has such an intimate, understated quality. What strikes you when you look at this work? Curator: What immediately jumps out at me is how ter Borch uses the family portrait genre to reflect the changing social and economic landscape of the Dutch Golden Age. Notice how their dark attire and relatively somber demeanor project authority and class? Family portraits like these were often commissioned by wealthy merchant families as a demonstration of their social standing, especially within the burgeoning merchant class. Editor: So, this is more than just a picture of a family. Curator: Exactly. The symbolism is subtle but powerful. Think about who typically got their portraits painted in the past – royalty and aristocracy. Here, the Van Moerkerken family is asserting its presence in this new, developing social hierarchy, right? Consider the woman’s positioning, she’s holding the child’s hand and looking out towards us, making her presence and lineage more prominent in society. Do you notice anything else? Editor: The child is holding… a bubble wand? That seems a little out of place, doesn’t it? Curator: Precisely! These small visual elements within the Dutch Golden Age portraits all carry meaning. What do you think bubbles would signify in the 17th century? Editor: Something fleeting? Curator: Exactly. Transience, fragility, maybe even the brevity of life. Ter Borch, through these embedded signs, speaks volumes about family legacy in uncertain economic times, commenting on issues of identity and social status during this transformational period. Editor: It's amazing how much a portrait can reveal about a particular time and society. I’ll never look at a family portrait the same way. Curator: Precisely. It's about understanding these portraits as cultural artifacts. They are more than just representations, they embody identity, ambition, and a commentary of the evolving world.