Artwork
Portrait of a Child
Portrait of a Child is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The subject is presented directly, emphasizing the individual identity of the child within the conventions of mid-nineteenth-century portraiture.
The artwork depicts a single child, rendered as a formal portrait. Created around 1850, the piece focuses entirely on the representation of youth without additional contextual figures or narrative scenes. As a standalone portrait, the work serves primarily to capture the likeness and presence of the sitter rather than to convey complex allegorical meanings or symbolic attributes.
The subject is presented directly, emphasizing the individual identity of the child within the conventions of mid-nineteenth-century portraiture.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in watercolor on ivory, a medium and support characteristic of mid-19th-century American miniature portraiture. The diminutive scale, 6.5 by 5.3 cm, dictates a precise, delicate handling suited to the ivory surface, which allows for fine detail and luminous color effects. As an anonymous portrait from 1850, it exemplifies the period's conventional approach to child portraiture, prioritizing likeness and gentility within a compact format.
History & Provenance
Created around 1850, this watercolor on ivory depicts a child and is attributed to an unknown artist. It entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within the American Wing and catalogued under accession number 2006.235.191. The miniature measures 6.5 by 5.3 cm. The circumstances of its commission and its ownership history prior to museum acquisition are not documented in the available records, and no exhibition or loan history is listed for the object.
Overview
This small watercolor on ivory, titled Portrait of a Child, depicts a young girl. She is shown in a white dress, holding a red flower, with dark curls framing her serious expression against a soft gray background. Its miniature scale, designed to fit within the palm of a hand, suggests its intimate purpose as a personal keepsake.
Context
Miniature portraits like this one served as cherished personal mementos during an era predating widespread photography. Often small enough to be worn in a locket or carried discreetly, they allowed individuals to keep images of loved ones close. These intimate artworks were essential for preserving family likenesses and memories across generations.
Artist & collection
