Deliverance Mapes Waldo and Her Son

About this work

This painting shows a woman and a young boy. The woman wears a dark dress with a lace collar and a bonnet with a red ribbon. She has a serious expression. The boy, who is standing beside her, wears a dark shirt and has short brown hair. He looks at the viewer with a slight smile. The background of the painting is dark, which makes the figures stand out. The woman's face is well-lit, while the rest of the painting is in shadow. This creates a sense of depth and dimension. The painting is a portrait of Deliverance Mapes Waldo and her son, created by Samuel Lovett Waldo in 1830. It is held at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. If you want to learn more about the technique used in this painting, look up chiaroscuro.