Artwork
Portrait of a Young Boy
Portrait of a Young Boy is an oil painting. It dates from 1792 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The artist employed oil paint with a smooth, refined handling typical of late eighteenth-century French academic practice, producing a polished surface finish.
The Portrait of a Young Boy is executed in oil on wood panel, measuring 14.5 by 12.2 centimetres. The small scale and panel support are characteristic of intimate French portraiture from this period. The artist employed oil paint with a smooth, refined handling typical of late eighteenth-century French academic practice, producing a polished surface finish.
As a portrait genre painting dated to 1792, it reflects the Neoclassical era's emphasis on clarity and controlled technique. The work's modest dimensions suggest it was intended for private contemplation rather than public display. The panel support indicates careful preparation and contributes to the painting's precise, detailed execution.
History & Provenance
Created in 1792 by an unidentified French artist of the eighteenth century, this oil painting on wood panel depicts a young boy. The work's documented ownership history begins with Ailsa Mellon Bruce of New York, who held the piece until her death in 1969. In 1970, the painting was gifted to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it remains in the collection.
While the specific circumstances of its original commission and the identity of the sitter are not detailed in available records, the work is dated to 1792 based on stylistic attribution and collection data.
Overview
"Portrait of a Young Boy" is an oil painting on a wood panel, depicting a youthful subject. The artwork presents a boy with a gentle expression, characterized by rosy cheeks and curly hair. He is dressed in a plain white shirt and a brown coat, conveying a sense of simplicity and approachability. The piece is housed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures a young boy whose features, rosy cheeks, curly hair, and a soft, almost smiling expression, emphasize his youthfulness. This portrayal aligns with artistic trends of the 1700s, where children were frequently depicted to highlight qualities of innocence and purity. The subject's simple attire further contributes to this impression of unadorned childhood.
Artist & collection
Portrait of a Boy
Portrait of a Boy
Portrait of Carl Christian Laurentius Birch
Malvina Mortier de Trévise
Portrait of Carl Christian Laurentius Birch
Everard Benjamin
Portrait of a Child of the Comminges Family
Childhood portrait of Julius von Minutoli
Copilul
Caroline Mortier de Trévise
Knabenbildnis- Portrait of a Young Boy
