Johan Zoffany, "The Bradshaw Family"


    This week we are traveling to the United Kingdom for a very interesting family portrait.  The year is 1760 and our artist is Johan Zoffany (1733-1810), a popular portrait painter of the day.   And, according to sources, this work is typical of his style of painting.  When viewing, I think of the writings of Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice,  Sense and Sensibility)   If you remember this is the time when the Lord of the manor was "king" of his own little kingdom.  Women could  not inherit or own property, and all inheritance went to the oldest son.   So, here we have a family group with two women, one man, and four children.  In reading about the painting, I learned that the woman in red is the wife/mother and the woman in grey holding the fruit is the sister of Lord Bradshaw.   We do not know her circumstances but assume she is single, therefore under the care and household of her brother.

   Portrait painting was an in-demand occupation for the skillful artist.  Not only was creating a likeness essential, but also arranging in a composition that displayed the importance of each figure.   Here we see Lord Bradshaw reigning at the top of a definite pyramid.   The only indication the wife is important is her red dress picks up the red in his jacket decoration. The family pyramid is further strengthened by the large tree and landscape, providing a dark background for contrast.   
    Thomas Bradshaw (1733-74) was a member of the English Parliament, Lord Commissioner and Lord of the Admiralty.   Evidently he was a poor money manager because history records his self inflicted shot-gun death due to heavy financial problems.   He and his wife had seven children in all, but I have no information on how this large family existed after his death.  
   "The Bradshaw Family" is large painting, measuring 52.7 inches high and 69.4 inches wide.   It is an oil on canvas done in 1760.  It is part of the permanent collection of the Tate Gallery, London. 
    Make Art a part of your life, it's a beautiful thing to do.    

Comments

  1. Char HarguthDecember 6, 2021 at 7:04 PM

    Thank goodness some family dynamics have changed!! What a strong picture, with both the color contrast and the horse and huge tree to add strength. It is interesting that the boy on the right has an extended arm as well as the boy on the left. It would take a skillful artist to paint the likeness of an entire family. The arrangement is lovely; the background is romantic and the blue sky a nice place for the eye to rest. I like the relaxed nature of the family's arrangement. He does give the two women prominence with their beautiful dresses. I think it's a happy family!!

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