Conversation piece

Conversation pieces are small-scale informal family group portraits mainly painted in Britain in the 1720s. The members of the family are portrayed sharing common activities such as hunts, meals, or musical parties.

References

• Mario Praz, Conversation Pieces: A Survey of the Informal Group Portrait in Europe and America (University Park and London: The Pennsylvania State University Press, 1971)

External Links

• Tour: British Conversation Pieces and Portraits of the 1700s (http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg63/gg63-main1)
• Hogarth's Realm: Family portraits and Conversation Pieces (http://hogarth.chez.tiscali.fr/gallery19.htm)