Artwork
Portrait of a Boy
Portrait of a Boy is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist George W. Stevens. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. George W.
- Accession no.
- 2006.235.188
- Credit line
- Fletcher Fund, 2006
About this work
Technique & Style
The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, located in New York, and is recorded under the genre of portraiture in its metadata.
Portrait of a Boy is a watercolor executed on a thin ivory support, a medium documented for the work. The painting measures approximately 6.3 × 5 inches and was created in 1845, as recorded in its inception date. It is classified within The American Wing and listed as a portrait genre, depicting a young boy.
The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, located in New York, and is recorded under the genre of portraiture in its metadata. No additional embellishments or alterations are noted in the source descriptions.
History & Provenance
The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified under The American Wing. Its accession or inventory number is not specified in the available sources. The sources provide no information about the work's exhibition history.
Overview
George W. Stevens created this watercolor portrait of a boy in 1845. Rendered on a small ivory support, the work captures a young subject in a dark suit, gazing directly forward. His neatly combed hair and rosy cheeks are depicted with delicate detail, characteristic of miniature portraiture from the period. This piece belongs to the American Wing collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents a young boy, formally dressed in a dark suit, with one hand resting gently on a surface. His direct gaze and composed demeanor suggest a formal sitting, common for portraits intended to capture a child's likeness for family remembrance. The artist highlights his youthful features, including his flushed cheeks and carefully styled hair, creating an intimate yet dignified portrayal.
Artist & collection
Artist
George W. Stevens painted delicate portraits on tiny ivory plaques in the 1840s. His Portrait of a Boy from 1845 shows a young sitter dressed in the era’s formal black suit, his face painted in soft strokes against the…
