Lelie, Adriaan de – Jonkheer Gijsbert Carel Rutger Reinier van Brienen van Ramerus (1771-1821), met zijn vrouw en vier van hun kinderen, 1804 Rijksmuseum: part 2

The composition presents a familial group portrait set within a landscaped park environment. A man, presumably the patriarch, stands centrally, holding a game bird aloft – a pheasant, judging by its plumage – and accompanied by a young boy who mirrors his stance and attire. He wears hunting garb: a green coat over dark trousers tucked into high boots, suggesting both status and leisure activities. The boy clutches a small firearm, reinforcing this association with the hunt.
Beside him sits a woman in a white gown, her posture conveying an air of refined composure. She is seated on a bench alongside two more children – a baby held in her lap and another young boy positioned at the edge of the bench. The woman’s hair is adorned with flowers, a detail that softens her appearance while maintaining a sense of elegance.
Further back, partially obscured by foliage, are additional figures: an elderly woman and a younger man holding a rifle. Their placement suggests they may be household staff or relatives involved in the hunting party. Two dogs complete the scene; one lies at the foot of the bench, while another stands attentively near the man with the firearm.
The artist has employed a muted color palette dominated by greens, browns, and creams, which contributes to an overall atmosphere of understated wealth and domestic tranquility. The light source appears to be diffused, creating soft shadows and highlighting the faces of the subjects. The background is rendered with less detail than the foreground figures, drawing attention to the family unit.
Subtly, the painting conveys a narrative about landed gentry – their connection to nature through hunting, their familial bonds, and their social standing. The presence of firearms and game suggests an active role in managing estates and asserting dominance over the natural world. The carefully arranged composition and formal attire underscore the family’s position within a hierarchical society. The inclusion of both adults and children implies continuity and the transmission of values across generations. The setting itself, a manicured parkland, speaks to the familys access to resources and their ability to shape the landscape according to their desires.