1. Group Portraits

2. Sir Thomas Mansel and Lady Jane Mansel By an unknown artist of the British School, painted about 1625.

3. Sir Thomas Mansel of Margam, Glamorgan, (1556-1631) with his second wife Jane Pole. Jane Pole was a widow when she married Thomas Mansel. The Mansels were one of the wealthiest families in South Wales, and owned the estates formerly belonging to Margam Abbey. Sir Thomas Mansel commissioned a group of portraits in the formal style of the seventeenth century British School. It is supposed that the portrait was painted in London, but it is quite possible that specialist painters were summoned from London to Wales to work in the style of the court artists. The marigold held by Lady Mansel is perhaps a symbol of their daughter Mary. Click on ‘flowers’ to find out more about the symbolism of flowers in art.flowers

4. The Peasant Family By J-F Millet painted about 1871-2. Millet was a French artist who influenced the work of the Impressionists.

5. What have we learnt about portraits? What can you say about these two group portraits?

6. Describe the pose of the figures in each picture.

7. Which colours have the artists chosen?

8. How has light and shade been used differently?

9. How does the background differ?

10. What are the adults holding in the pictures. What does this tell us about them? Is there any symbolism?

11. What can you tell about the Mansels from their portrait?

12. Why haven’t the peasant family been given a name?

13. Are the portraits realistic?

14. Paint your own family portrait based on a photograph – what style will you use?