Artwork
Portrait of a Child
Portrait of a Child is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, a common support for German portraiture of the period, the piece is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The work titled Portrait of a Child is classified as a painting created in 1790 by an anonymous German artist. Executed in oil on canvas, a common support for German portraiture of the period, the piece is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The composition presents a young sitter wearing a bracelet, highlighting meticulous attention to personal adornment and conveying a formal, genteel demeanor typical of late‑18th‑century portraiture.
Stylistically, the rendering emphasizes realistic facial detail and delicate handling of light on the subject's skin and clothing, reinforcing the portrait's dignified yet intimate character.
History & Provenance
The painting titled Portrait of a Child, created around 1790 by an anonymous German artist, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work is cataloged under the accession number 26.168.65. While the piece depicts a child wearing a bracelet, the provided sources do not list specific past or future exhibition histories for this object.
The museum currently maintains the work as part of its permanent holdings, classifying it as a portrait painting from the late eighteenth century.
Overview
This painting, titled Portrait of a Child, presents a monochromatic depiction of a young individual. The composition focuses directly on the subject's face, which is characterized by gentle, rounded features and a subtle expression. The simplicity of the background and the direct gaze contribute to a sense of tranquility and immediacy, inviting a close observation of the sitter.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a young child, whose identity remains unspecified within the artwork itself. Their hair is neatly drawn back, and a dark collar provides a strong visual frame for their face. A delicate bracelet on one wrist offers a singular detail that subtly draws the viewer's attention, hinting at a personal touch amidst the otherwise unadorned presentation.
Artist & collection
