Artwork
Cadwallader Colden and His Grandson Warren De Lancey
Cadwallader Colden and His Grandson Warren De Lancey is an oil painting by the Academic Art artist Matthew Pratt. It dates from 1772 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Painted in 1772, Matthew Pratt's 'Cadwallader Colden and His Grandson Warren De Lancey' is a significant double portrait from the colonial American period.
Painted in 1772, Matthew Pratt's 'Cadwallader Colden and His Grandson Warren De Lancey' is a significant double portrait from the colonial American period. The work depicts the prominent New York politician and scientist Cadwallader Colden seated beside his young grandson, Warren De Lancey. Colden wears a dark coat and holds a quill, while the boy is dressed in a striking red suit and holds a small sheet of paper.
An open book rests on the table between them, symbolizing the transmission of knowledge and the intellectual legacy Colden wished to impart. The composition places the figures against a neutral, dark background, focusing attention on their expressions and the interaction suggested by their shared gaze toward the viewer. Created shortly after Pratt returned from his training in London under Benjamin West, this painting demonstrates the artist's mastery of the academic style and his ability to capture the dignity of the American colonial elite.
It stands as one of the earliest major portraits executed by an American-born artist on American soil, marking a pivotal moment in the development of a distinct national art tradition before the Revolution.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents Cadwallader Colden, a prominent figure, seated beside his grandson, Warren De Lancey. Both gazes meet the viewer, creating a direct connection. An open book rests on the table between them, suggesting intellectual pursuits or shared learning.
The boy holds a small piece of paper, upon which his name, Warren De Lancey, is visibly inscribed, possibly indicating a lesson or a personal detail.
Technique & Style
Matthew Pratt, the artist, received his training in London, subsequently introducing a distinct style to American portraiture. This work exemplifies his approach, characterized by straightforward poses and a clear, naturalistic illumination. The composition avoids elaborate accessories or theatrical backdrops, focusing instead on the unadorned representation of the sitters. This simplicity became a hallmark of early American portraiture.
Context
This painting is notable as one of the earliest American portraits executed by an artist of American origin. Pratt's return from European training helped establish a foundational style for colonial portraiture. Its directness and lack of ostentation align with a broader trend in American art of the period, inviting comparison with other family portraits from the era that similarly favored a plain and honest depiction of their subjects.
Artist & collection
Artist
Matthew Pratt left his Pennsylvania home in the 1760s and landed in London, where he walked into Benjamin West’s busy studio.
