Final answer:
The statement is true; during the Renaissance and Dutch Golden Age, the prosperous middle class indeed sought to memorialize their likenesses through portraiture, reflecting their status and wealth. 18th-century portraiture in the New World showed a tendency towards more realistic representations, and family portraits became popular as a form of narrative art.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement presented is true: the prosperous middle class did want to preserve their likenesses through portraiture, which became an important form of art in various societies. This trend was particularly noticeable during periods such as the Renaissance and the Dutch Golden Age, where the new merchant class sought to capture their images in paintings to display their newfound wealth and social status. In the 18th century, this extended to the New World, where portraiture began reflecting more realistic likenesses and narratives of the everyday lives of settlers. Family portraits also became common, indicative of the times, alongside individual depictions.
The growing art market in the Netherlands evidenced the proliferation of portraiture and other forms of art among the merchant class, who commissioned such works to be displayed in their homes. The 18th century saw a shift, with more artists seeking patronage from the private sector, catering to the tastes of a burgeoning middle class with disposable income. Portraits conveyed not just a person's looks but also their social standing, often including symbolic possessions or clothing to highlight their status.