What's with the smaller paintings at the upper center of the Keep?

[Sir Duckyweather]

Way above the map there is a frame to place artwork. Just below that frame there may be one or more frames. Sometimes the portraits are there and sometimes they are not. When they do show up, there may be one, two, or three of them. With two or more frames in this spot at least one is usually a duplicate of the larger, main painting. Also, these frames may vary in size and shape.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2019928197

I can't seem to find any mentions from anyone about these particular decoration slots. For a while I assumed having the Collector's Edition unlocked the frames because I typically saw the statue in the keep of the host when I noticed these extra paintings. However, it didn't make sense to me that the number varied from one to three, and I think I might have also seen hubs which either had the statue and no extra paintings or vice versa (I forget which). Maybe each DLC adds a portrait slot? I'm not sure. And then to make things even more murky, occasionally I will see an extra frame in my own keep if I'm hosting a game with another person in it, but it never has a list of paintings to select from. This frame is never here when I am alone.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2019931842

[Obed Marsh]

When you're in a lobby with other players, whatever they have equipped in those frames appears there.

[Sir Duckyweather]

Originally posted by Obed Marsh:

When you're in a lobby with other players, whatever they have equipped in those frames appears there.

OHH, well that explains a lot! Kind of explains everything, really. I guess the duplicates must simply be people with similar tastes or mindsets. The variables certainly make sense now. Thanks for the quick explanation! Not sure if you found this out from somewhere or if it's just that obvious and I'm that obtuse.

[Pungent]

Originally posted by Sir Duckyweather:

Not sure if you found this out from somewhere or if it's just that obvious and I'm that obtuse.

ehh...sorry, but it's been pretty obvious for a long time now.

This question came up a lot back when the art was first introduced, and you can still easily find the answer to this same question across here, the official Fatshark forums, and the Vermintide subreddit. There was even this FAQ made by a player that I'm like 90% sure was pinned for some time.

3. Whats happening?! There are 3 extra paintings in lobby.
Every joining player will add his "central" painting under your "central" paining in lobby. But it may not work properly sometimes.

[Sir Duckyweather]

I see. Well the search function failed me then 'cause it didn't show any useful threads when I tried it. =/ Thanks for the additional insight though.

[Huelloween]

Originally posted by Obed Marsh:

When you're in a lobby with other players, whatever they have equipped in those frames appears there.

Thanks.