“The Family” is an artwork created by Romare Bearden in 1948, which is associated with the Cubism art movement and fits within the genre painting category. The composition showcases Bearden’s adept use of cubistic techniques to depict a familial scene.
In the artwork, abstracted human figures are rendered through the characteristic fragmentation and geometric forms of Cubism. The figures, likely portraying family members, are intertwined and overlapped with bold outlines and a mixture of angular and curved shapes. The palette consists of muted and earthy tones with occasional splashes of vibrant colors that emphasize the different sections of the composition. The background features soft, pastel colors that provide a subtle contrast to the varied hues of the figures. The complexity and interconnection of shapes suggest an intimate and harmonious family dynamic. Through this piece, Bearden skillfully combines traditional genre painting themes with avant-garde cubist aesthetics.
