28 Wonderful Studio Portraits of Families From the Mid-19th Century

In the mid-19th century, family portraits were a way to showcase social status and family identity, often commissioned by middle- and upper-class families. The subjects were usually posed formally, with the father at the center, the mother beside him, and children arranged by age. The clothing was formal and elaborate, reflecting the family’s wealth, and symbolic elements like books or furniture were sometimes included to convey values or social position.

As photography became more accessible, it began to replace painting for family portraits, though early photographs still featured stiff poses due to long exposure times. Here below is a beautiful photo collection that shows family portraits from the mid-19th century.