Artwork
Baby with Rattle and Dog
Baby with Rattle and Dog is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Mrs. Moses B. Russell. It dates from 1842 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mrs.
About this work
A baby sits on a red cushion with a silver rattle while a small dog looks up. The whole scene is only a few inches tall, painted on smooth ivory as a miniature for a wealthy family to carry or set in a locket. Russell's watercolor and gouache give the soft glow on skin and fur. 1842.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a cherubic infant clutching a rattle while a small dog sits nearby, a composition that merges symbols of youthful innocence and domestic fidelity. The rattle, a conventional attribute of childhood, underscores the child's early developmental stage, whereas the dog, often associated with loyalty and protective guardianship in 19th‑century iconography, may suggest a familial bond or the protective presence of a loyal companion. Together these elements convey a narrative of nurture and security within the domestic sphere, reflecting mid‑nineteenth‑century American values regarding family and innocence.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1842, the miniature employs watercolor and gouache on an ivory support, consistent with American portrait practice of the period.
Executed in 1842, the miniature employs watercolor and gouache on an ivory support, consistent with American portrait practice of the period. The sheet measures 11.4 cm in height and 8.9 cm in width. Handling is delicate, with fine stippling and smooth glazes to articulate the infant’s features and the dog’s fur, while the rattle is rendered with crisp linear highlights.
Stylistically, the work adheres to the luminous, miniature scale traditions of early nineteenth-century American portraiture, emphasizing clarity and refined detail.
History & Provenance
Baby with Rattle and Dog is a watercolor and gouache painting on ivory, executed in 1842 by Clarissa Peters, who worked under the name Mrs. Moses B. Russell. The work depicts an infant holding a rattle alongside a dog. It entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued in The American Wing and displayed in New York.
The painting’s creation history is documented through its date, medium, and attribution to Russell, while its provenance is traced to its acquisition and continued ownership by the museum.
Overview
Mrs. Moses B. Russell created Baby with Rattle and Dog in 1842, a delicate watercolor and gouache painting on ivory. This miniature portrait captures a child seated on a red cushion, clutching a silver rattle, while a small dog gazes up at them. Measuring only a few inches, the artwork exemplifies the intimate scale and detailed execution characteristic of the genre, intended for personal viewing within The American Wing collection.
Context
During the 19th century, miniature portraits like this one were highly valued by affluent families. Their small dimensions made them ideal for personal adornment, often set into lockets, brooches, or small display cases. These portable artworks allowed individuals to carry or keep close the likenesses of loved ones, serving as intimate reminders of family ties.
Artist & collection
