The period in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, that was characterized by a renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman art, philosophy, and science. Renaissance began in italy and spread over other european countries. It prefered motives from greek and roman mythology. Taking great interest in natural sciences and the individual human being, renaissance painters began to protray human beings and their environment in a more realistic manner. The portait became one of the typical forms of renaissance art.
This kind of painting was borne in the Netherlands of the 16th and 17th century. It portrays a group of persons not only aiming at the recognizable representation of these persons but also trying to present the relationship between them. A very popular motif became the family portrait representing the family mostly idyllic or representative.