Colonial portraits served several purposes. They showed social status, as only the wealthy could afford them. Portraits allowed people to send messages about themselves and their wealth, and sometimes served as a form of wish fulfillment by depicting people as richer than they truly were. Several portraits from the period are analyzed, showing how clothing, backgrounds, and depicted activities were used to convey messages about the subject's wealth, social standing, power, and occupation. Elements like fabrics, furniture, and decorative details highlighted the subjects' affluence and role in society.