Portrait of the Bellelli Family

Infobox Painting|

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backcolor=#FBF5DF
painting_alignment=right
image_size=300px
title=Portrait of the Bellelli Family
artist=Edgar Degas
year=1858-1867
type=Oil on canvas
height=2000
width=253
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city=Paris, France
museum=Musée d'Orsay

"Portrait of the Bellelli Family" is an oil on canvas by Edgar Degas, painted ca. 1858-1867. A masterwork of Degas' youth, the painting reflects the influence of classical sources, particularly Flemish painting. It is in the Musée d'Orsay.

While finishing his artistic training in Italy, Degas drew and painted his aunt Laura, her husband the baron Gennaro Bellelli (1812-1864), and their daughters Giula and Giovanna. Utilizing studies done in Italy, the painting was completed at the artist's studio after his return to Paris. Laura, his father's sister, is depicted in a dress which symbolizes mourning for her father, who had recently died and appears in the framed portrait behind her. The baron was an Italian patriot exiled from Naples, living in Florence.

Laura's countenance is dignified and austere, her gesture connected with those of her daughters. Her husband, by contrast, appears to be separated from his family. His association with business and the outside world is implied by his position at his desk. Giovanna, the younger daughter, holds a livelier pose than that of her sister Giula, whose restraint appears to underscore the familial tensions.

References

*Kagan, Donald "Western Heritage-7th Edition" (Pg. 829), 2001.
* [http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/collections/works-in-focus/painting/commentaire_id/the-bellelli-family-7168.html?tx_commentaire_pi1%5BpidLi%5D=509&tx_commentaire_pi1%5Bfrom%5D=841&cHash=1ca4377da1] Musée d'Orsay, "Edgar Degas, The Bellelli Family".