Representing the Home

The home holds the things that we keep close to us and, in turn, showcases who we are as people and our place in society. For my tour, I chose three different scenes that portray home life for different socioeconomic classes in different eras. These scenes include Richard Norris Brooke’s A Pastoral Visit (1881), William Merritt Chase’s A Friendly Call (1895), and Jacob Ochtervelt’s A Nurse and a Child in an Elegant Foyer (1663). By practicing close looking, one can get a sense of everyday life for the subjects in these scenes. Further research about the artists also puts into perspective who these sitters are, whether family, neighbors, or affluent people who could afford to commission paintings of themselves. From the various yet beloved dinnerware in A Pastoral Visit to the lush fabrics and floor pillows in A Friendly Call, to the luxurious marble floors and mantle in A Nurse and a Child in an Elegant Foyer, we see not only the subjects’ environment as the artist portrayed it, but also who they are and how they are viewed within their respective societies. 

Interior Design major and Community Development minor, Howard University
Howard University Undergraduate Intern, 2023–2025

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