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Boy on a Hobby Horse

Henry Sargent

1815

oil

panel

From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts Boston

Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Boy on a Hobby Horse is a 1815 oil by Henry Sargent, held at Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

Who painted this?: Henry Sargent
When & what style?: 1815
Where can I see it?: Museum of Fine Arts Boston

About this work

This painting depicts a young boy sitting on a hobby horse, holding a stick in his right hand. He is dressed in a dark blue jacket with a white ruffled collar and a black hat adorned with a feather. The background of the painting is dark, with a window on the left side that allows sunlight to enter. The boy's facial expression is neutral, and he appears to be looking directly at the viewer. The hobby horse is made of wood and has a simple design. The overall atmosphere of the painting is somber and quiet. If you're interested in learning more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume in modeling three-dimensional objects and figures, you can explore more of his works.