ENGLISH SCHOOL, 1672
Three Brothers
Inscribed and dated Pinxt 1672 in the lower left
oil on canvas
34 ¼ x 44 inches (87 x 111.9 cm.)
HOLIDAYS ARE A TIME TO THINK ABOUT FAMILY
The holidays are always a time that families come together. Unfortunately, these days it isn’t always possible. Adults often evoke nostalgia for their own childhood, during these times, and have hopes of making holidays as special for the current generation as they were for them. Children and their experiences seem to always pique the interest of adults. This portrait of three does just that for us.
Although as yet unidentified, the painter of this work was well schooled in technique and symbolism, as well as fully aware of the current taste of the aristocratic client. It is exceedingly rare to find images from this period of a group of children of such exquisite beauty. As we have covered in past writings, the entire subject of child portraiture is a fascinating one. It can be assessed and reassessed endlessly as there is so much to explore, but given the holidays we thought it more relevant to put into context the Stuart Britain these boys were living in and how this portrait may have more to do with families being together than the obvious ‘strength of lineage’ ideal.
Over the course of 111 years, Stuart Britain witnessed events including the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, the bloody civil wars of 1642-51, and the beheading of King Charles I in 1649. And that’s not to mention the disastrous Great Fire of London in 1666 or the successful foreign invasion that came to be known as the ‘Glorious Revolution’ in 1688. And lest we forget, as is so relevant now, the Bubonic plague which weaved in and out of humanity throughout a good part of the century. Thus, children at this time were facing an exhaustive number of social challenges, staying alive being the biggest one!
Despite the difference in economic status, there were many similarities between the wealthy and less fortunate families in Stuart Britain. In both, marriages were more of a business deal than a relationship. Love was not a factor in a marriage in 17th century England. A woman typically married in her early twenties in a marriage arranged primarily for resources such as money and land. It was expected that a man would beat his wife and it was not seen as an issue. Children also did not normally have close relationships with their parents or siblings either.
High infant mortality rate was a common issue – as in the rest of Europe. Families often had up to 10 children, but even in wealthy families only 4-6 of them survived. Writers during this time have reflected on the devastation and sorrow often felt when a child passed away. It was so often in society that it was considered somewhat of a black cloud that hung over the household. And with the use of wet-nurses, the time between birth and the next pregnancy left little time to grieve. Child birth was also extremely challenging and sometimes deadly for the mother. We can’t help but think about the mother of these boys when you view this stunning group of three. Given these statistics you could imagine that the family felt wholly fortunate with 3 young boys, so close in age, shown to be healthy and happy.
Children’s lives, even in the top echelons of society, to which these boys so clearly belong, were challenging. The establishment of boarding schools and structured education – particularly for boys was becoming fully cemented into the fabric of their world. Boys were sent away from home at a very young age to be trained to be proper gentleman in society. Education at these top schools often carried rigorous 12-hour days and corporal punishment was common. As many boys during these years tackled the tough and demanding trials of school days away from home, countless mothers missed them and grieved for their boys undergoing these rigours. The desire of mothers that these boys become loving and considerate adults, who displayed gentleness of character, clashed with the kind of masculinity and the emphasis on physical prowess taught in boarding schools.
There is some (but little) documentation of these thoughts because mothers by and large bit their lips and remained silent. They wrote letters to their boys, and once they were settled in, many boys sent letters back detailing their difficult days. It does make you wonder if this portrait was made as more of a ‘postcard’ for a loving mother missing her sons. The picture itself is full of symbolism to emphasize the importance of their education. Could this picture be a reassurance from a husband to a wife that what they were doing by sending them off to receive a ‘proper’ education was a worthy decision?
The youngest child on the left-side displays a finch held by a string. A finch was an easy bird to train and a common pet. The lessons of guidance, perseverance and repetition for proper training were felt to apply to children, birds, and animals alike. The middle child holds a very large tulip as well as a small bouquet of flowers. Flowers in general symbolized “youth and blossoming”. And finally, the eldest brother stands to the right self-assuredly posed with his right hand on hip while his left rests upon a spaniel perched on a rock. Often found in children’s portraits of the period, the dog is a metaphor for the need to reign in natural tendencies. It was believed that this could be accomplished for both child and dog only through instruction and education.
Given the rate of children’s mortality and the new found pressures of having upper class boys being strictly educated, you do have to assume that both parents – although probably not actively involved in their children’s lives, were probably missing them horribly when they were away. Think what it must have been like for such young children to be so far away from what they had known in earlier years, with the lack of any technology from the past 300 years! So, although these holidays do seem a bit dark and dire, know that long distance heartache has existed as long as mankind. Put up some lovely photographs of your family and talk to them like they are in the room (or of course, call them on Zoom!) and know that you are still better off than 17th century aristocrats!
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy year to come, less social distancing and more time with family and friends.
Happy Holidays
16 December, 2020