The artwork titled “Family Group,” created by artist Joshua Johnson in the year 1800, belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and falls under the portrait genre. This piece reflects the quintessential characteristics of Naïve Art, showcasing a straightforward and unpretentious style devoid of sophisticated techniques.
In the artwork, a family of five is depicted, seated and positioned closely together, which emphasizes their familial bond. The individuals are adorned in early 19th-century attire, with the women and girls wearing white dresses that symbolize purity and simplicity, and the males dressed in elaborately buttoned waistcoats and jackets, reflecting the fashion of the period. Each figure is rendered with meticulous attention to detail, although the overall execution retains a charming simplicity typical of Naïve Art. The expressions of the family members are serene, and the setting, though minimal, provides a sense of intimate indoor space. The background features a subdued, earthy palette that highlights the figures in the foreground, allowing their presence and attire to dominate the visual narrative.
