Artwork
Portrait of a Baby
Portrait of a Baby is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Mrs. Moses B. Russell. It dates from 1831 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created in 1831 by Mrs.
- Accession no.
- 2006.235.115
- Credit line
- Gift of Gloria Manney, 2006
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a portrait, the artwork functions both as a personal likeness and a symbolic representation of the subject's place within his or her social context.
The work portrays an infant as its central figure, situating it within the portrait genre and the classification of The American Wing. Executed in 1831 by Clarissa Peters under the name Mrs. Moses B. Russell, the piece is a watercolor on ivory, a medium typical of early American portraiture. The depiction of a child aligns with contemporary visual conventions that emphasized innocence and familial connection, serving as a visual record of the sitter's identity.
As a portrait, the artwork functions both as a personal likeness and a symbolic representation of the subject's place within his or her social context.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1831, this miniature portrait utilizes watercolor applied to an ivory support. The work measures 5 by 3.8 units, a scale characteristic of intimate portraiture intended for personal possession. As a piece classified within the American Wing, the painting depicts an infant subject, adhering to the conventions of early nineteenth-century genre portraiture.
The selection of ivory as a ground allows for the luminous quality typical of watercolor miniatures from this period, while the small dimensions necessitate a delicate handling of the medium to render the features of the child. The attribution identifies the creator as Mrs. Moses B. Russell, also known as Clarissa Peters, whose technique reflects the specific material constraints and aesthetic goals of American miniature painting in the 1830s.
History & Provenance
Portrait of a Baby, a watercolor on ivory dated 1831, was executed by Clarissa Peters using the married name Mrs. Moses B. Russell. The infant portrait remains in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued within The American Wing and identified as a work of the early American portrait genre. Its creation history is documented only through the artist’s attribution and the museum’s acquisition records, which note its inclusion in the museum’s holdings without reference to a specific commissioning patron. The work’s dimensions measure 5 inches by 3.8 inches, confirming its modest scale.
Portrait of a Baby, a watercolor on ivory by Mrs. Moses B. Russell (Clarissa Peters) dated 1831, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Within the museum it is classified under The American Wing. The work's small dimensions, recorded as 5 by 3.8 (units), are consistent with the miniature format typical of ivory portraiture.
The available records do not specify an inventory or accession number, nor do they document any past exhibitions of the work.
Overview
Created in 1831 by Mrs. Moses B. Russell, Portrait of a Baby is a miniature watercolor on ivory. This small-scale work captures an infant, reflecting a common practice of the early 19th century where such portraits served as cherished family mementos. Its delicate execution and intimate size made it suitable for personal display and remembrance within the American Wing collection.
Context
In the early 19th century, miniature portraits on ivory were popular keepsakes, particularly for capturing the likenesses of infants and children. Before the widespread availability of photography, these small, portable artworks offered a way for families to commemorate loved ones. They were often treasured and carried, serving as personal reminders of familial bonds during a period of high infant mortality.
Artist & collection
