Artwork
Portrait of a Girl
Portrait of a Girl is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist Samuel Lovett Waldo. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
A girl sits holding a musical instrument, calm and focused. Waldo keeps the palette quiet, which makes the portrait feel close and personal, her gentle expression holding the attention. Oil on wood, 1854.
Technique & Style
The attribution to Waldo connects the work to early American portraiture traditions, characterized by direct observation and a focus on the sitter's presence.
Attributed to Samuel Lovett Waldo and dated 1854, the Portrait of a Girl is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel support. The work measures 11.2 inches in height and 9.5 inches in width. Stylistically, the piece functions as a portrait depicting a young girl alongside a musical instrument.
The medium of oil on panel was a common choice for small-scale portraiture of the period, allowing for detailed rendering of the subject's features and the accompanying object. The painting is currently held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, specifically classified under the American Wing. The attribution to Waldo connects the work to early American portraiture traditions, characterized by direct observation and a focus on the sitter's presence.
History & Provenance
Attributed to Samuel Lovett Waldo, this oil painting on wood panel was executed in 1854. The work, which depicts a young girl with a musical instrument, has been recorded as part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While the specific circumstances of its commission and the detailed chain of ownership prior to its museum acquisition are not explicitly detailed in the available records, the piece is classified within the institution's American Wing.
The dating of the inception to 1854 provides a firm chronological anchor for the artist's late career output, aligning with Waldo's active period in portraiture.
Overview
Samuel Lovett Waldo painted "Portrait of a Girl" in 1854, using oil on wood. This artwork captures a young girl seated with a musical instrument, conveying a sense of quiet introspection. The composition emphasizes her calm and focused demeanor, inviting viewers into a personal moment. The painting's subdued palette contributes to its intimate atmosphere, making the portrayal feel particularly private and engaging.
Subject & Meaning
The painting centers on a young girl, depicted in a serene pose with a musical instrument. Her gentle and peaceful expression is the primary focal point, drawing the viewer's gaze directly to her face. This portrayal suggests a moment of quiet concentration or contemplation, perhaps related to her musical practice.
The artist effectively communicates a sense of inner calm and focus, lending the portrait an air of thoughtful repose.
Artist & collection
