Smile for the Birdy!

But the new exhibit, aptly titled “Group Dynamics”, at the New-York Historical Society, shows an upper crust society refreshingly warm-hearted in its attitude. You almost hear the mother standing behind the artist or photographer, entreating her brood to “smile for the camera.”

This is a charming show of large paintings, intricate sculpture, and amazing early photographs — and there are very few of the stiff poses you’d normally associate with the subject matter. Instead, a child is painted standing on her mother’s lap, one leg casually curled around the other; another is shown nestled into her mother’s bosom; another with her arm around her mother’s neck. Siblings pose happily together with their half-eaten apples and hoops about to be rolled; and two little girls flank their seated daddy, each with a hand on his knee. It’s hard to imagine any of these children being shipped off to boarding school!