Family Making Music

To suggest the continuity of this family through the ages, Molenaer included framed portraits of the deceased ancestors, thereby commenting also on the ability of painting to preserve the memory of persons. The clock and the short-lived bubbles blown by the youngest boy, although plausible elements in a family portrait, allude to the passing of time and life as well.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 6 minutes): Johann Pachelbel: Canon and Gigue in D major