Free Critical Thinking On Romare Bearden's The Family

Romare Bearden’s painting entitled “The Family” (1941) shows three distinct images of members of the family: the father, mother, and child. The racial or ethnic background of the family seemed to stem from the African origin due to the black color of their skins. Likewise, the images are painted from the style which was representative of the cubism style, where the figures were apparently depicted in geometric shapes. For instance, there were different images at the background which are similar to geometric shapes like the triangle, oblong, square or rectangle, and circle. A white cloth hanging just at the back of the child’s head was folded to manifest the shape of a triangle. In addition, the artist also creatively depicted portions of the body somewhat in geometric figures; such as the hands and palm of the father and mother where these were apparently divided into portions as manifested through disparate colors and hues.
Likewise, viewers could also interpret that the images, especially the faces of the family members, seem to wear masks (especially the father). This could be deduced since the color of the father’s facial skin apparently share similar hues with the color of his blue suit. There is also the same blue color which was painted on the mother’s eyebrows, nose, and the portion just above the upper lip. For the face of the child, it could be seen that the artist effectively shaped and molded the face through the technique of using shades (light and dark, with intermittent shades of white). What is striking in the child’s face, and differed from that his parents, is the rendition of the eye –which was given a flat color of white; almost similar in shape and size to the earrings of the child’s mother.
The picture seemed to indicate that the family was currently gathered on a small dining table with a night lamp which was lighted. Through the position of the father’s left hand, it seems like he was asking for something from the mother, as depicted by his open palm. The table contains clear objects such as the fork and a salt shaker. There is another image of what seemed like a piece of pastry, could be pizza, just beside the salt shaker – but without any holding container. The mother, who was carrying the baby, was situated right at the back of the father. What is noticeable with the way the mother was depicted was the artist’s decision to apparently expose her breasts, to exemplify and emphasize her gender. This was deduced since the color of her blouse, which was orange, was contrary to the exposed lower breasts bearing the color brown, almost similar to the hue of her skin. In addition, the baby’s left hand was situated near his mouth; which could be interpreted that he was thumb sucking. However, it was also strange that the color of the baby’s left hand was distinctly lighter in color, as contrasted to the color of the baby’s face. The baby’s right hand could be interpreted as embracing or hidden at the back of his mother.
Overall, Romare Bearden’s painting could simply be interpreted as a family about to share a simple meal since the members were gathered in a small dining table. It could also be deduced that the father could be asking the mother to hand him the child so the mother could complete getting the needed food, kitchen wares, and other supplies which would enable them to share the blessings as a family.