Family Group

Francis Wheatley

National Gallery of Art

In this painting, three people are depicted in an outdoor setting. On the left, a woman stands or sits, looking to the right at the young girl next to her. The woman has pale skin, a long nose, and red lips, and her gray hair is in a large updo, styled with white lace and green ruffles. She wears a light green dress with lace details and a white ruffled shawl, with a white purse with gold details hanging from her wrist. In the center, the young woman also seems to be seated, looking to the left at the woman next to her. She holds a lute-like instrument in her lap. She has pale skin, and her brown hair is styled with curls and adorned with white feathers and small yellow flowers. She wears a pink dress with white sleeves and a darker pink sash. Behind her on the right, a man stands looking out at us, smiling slightly, holding a black hat and cane in his left hand. He is wearing a grey suit and a gray jacket with a red interior. His skin is slightly darker, with rosy cheeks and gray hair styled in tight curls above his ears. His right hand is behind the seated girl, and his legs are crossed. The background features layers of green foliage.