Artwork
The Allen Children
The Allen Children is a watercolor painting by the British Romanticist artist John Carlin. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
As part of the American Wing collection, the work exemplifies the technical conventions of mid-19th-century American portraiture in miniature.
Executed in 1847, this portrait by John Carlin utilizes watercolor applied to an ivory support. The work is classified as a miniature painting, a format defined by its intimate scale and the specific combination of translucent pigments with the smooth, luminous surface of the ivory. Measuring approximately 10.3 by 8.6 units, the piece demonstrates the delicate handling required for such a small-scale medium, where fine brushwork is essential to render the likeness of the young male subject.
The choice of ivory as a ground was typical for miniatures of this period, providing a durable yet radiant base that enhances the vitality of the watercolor layers. As part of the American Wing collection, the work exemplifies the technical conventions of mid-19th-century American portraiture in miniature.
History & Provenance
Created in 1847, The Allen Children is a watercolor portrait on ivory executed by the artist John Carlin. The work depicts a boy and is classified within the genre of portraiture. Since its inception, the piece has entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains housed.
The physical dimensions of the ivory support are recorded as 10.3 units in height and 8.6 units in width. While the specific circumstances of the original commission or the detailed ownership chain prior to its museum acquisition are not elaborated upon in the available records, the work's attribution to Carlin and its creation date of 1847 are firmly established.
The Allen Children, a watercolor on ivory by John Carlin created in 1847, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work is classified within the museum's American Wing. While the source material confirms the painting's presence in this institution and its physical dimensions of 10.3 by 8.6 inches, it does not provide a specific accession or inventory number for the piece.
Furthermore, the available documentation does not record any exhibition history for this portrait, leaving its public display record unlisted in the provided references.
Overview
John Carlin's The Allen Children, painted in 1847, is a miniature portrait rendered in watercolor on ivory. This work captures three young brothers, showcasing the artist's skill in this delicate medium. Carlin, an American painter and illustrator, was also notable as the first published deaf poet in the United States, contributing significantly to 19th-century visual and literary arts.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents three young brothers, formally dressed in matching blue jackets. Posed against a dark, indistinct background, their expressions are serious and their faces pale, suggesting the stillness required during the lengthy sitting process. This depiction captures a moment of childhood formality, characteristic of portraiture from the mid-19th century, emphasizing a quiet dignity rather than youthful exuberance.
Context
John Carlin was a prominent figure in 19th-century American art, recognized for his portraiture and illustrations. Beyond his visual artistic output, Carlin held the distinction of being the first deaf poet in the United States to have his work published. His contributions spanned both the visual and literary realms, reflecting a diverse artistic practice during a period of significant cultural development.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Carlin (15 May or 15 June 1813 in Philadelphia – 23 April 1891 in New York City) was an American illustrator, painter and poet. He was the first published deaf poet in the USA.
