Taking the Jump

"Taking the Jump" by Samuel Alken, Jr.

Ancestry, pedigree, the family tree—the muses behind the adornment lining the walls and corridors of any preppy’s house. It’s not simply art, but more importantly it is history—your lineage. The oil on canvas portrait of great grandfather hanging in the hallway reminds you of where you came from. Never mind he is a complete stranger to your children, cultivating cognizance of your family tree, no matter how idiosyncratic, is fundamental in remaining grounded. After all, it is nice to know where, rather who, the silver came from. But nothing says “cultured” like oil on canvas paintings of your ancestors’ equestrian pursuits.