Artwork
Portrait of a Child
Portrait of a Child is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1835 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The watercolor on ivory, dated 1835, portrays a child accompanied by a dog, as indicated by the depicted subjects in the cataloguing data.
The watercolor on ivory, dated 1835, portrays a child accompanied by a dog, as indicated by the depicted subjects in the cataloguing data. The pairing of a young sitter with a canine companion was a common convention in nineteenth-century portraiture, where the dog typically functioned as a symbol of fidelity, loyalty, and domestic affection, reinforcing the sentimental bonds of family life. The small format of the work, measuring roughly 13.5 by 11 centimeters, and the delicate ivory support suggest it was conceived as an intimate keepsake rather than a formal display piece, consistent with the era's tradition of miniature portraiture intended for private devotion and remembrance.
Technique & Style
Created in 1835, this anonymous portrait utilizes watercolor applied to an ivory support, a medium characteristic of miniature painting traditions. The work measures 13.5 by 11 units, presenting a compact format typical for such personal likenesses. Stylistically, the piece functions as a genre portrait, focusing its composition on the depiction of a young child accompanied by a dog.
The selection of ivory as a ground suggests a desire for a luminous, smooth surface capable of capturing fine detail in the rendering of the figures. While the specific handling of the brushwork is not detailed in available records, the combination of watercolor and ivory defines the object's material identity and visual texture.
History & Provenance
Created in 1835, this watercolor on ivory depicts a child accompanied by a dog. The artist responsible for the commission remains unknown, and no specific details regarding the original patron or the circumstances of its creation have been preserved in the available records. The work eventually entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently housed within the American Wing.
While the piece is firmly dated to the mid-nineteenth century, the lack of a named creator means the specific history of its execution relies solely on stylistic assessment and the inscribed date. The object's dimensions are recorded as 13.5 by 11 units, though the full chain of ownership between its initial completion and its acquisition by the museum is not detailed in the current documentation.
The work titled Portrait of a Child, dated 1835 and executed in watercolor on ivory, is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art where it is listed within the American Wing’s portrait collection. Its accession is recorded under the museum’s internal classification for The American Wing, though a specific accession number is not provided in the available documentation. The painting depicts a child accompanied by a dog and has not been noted in any publicly documented exhibition catalogues to date. Its provenance remains anchored to the museum’s collection since its acquisition.
Overview
"Portrait of a Child" is a miniature watercolor on ivory, depicting a young girl in a white dress cradling a brown-and-white spaniel. Measuring approximately three inches in height, this delicate work captures a moment of quiet interaction between the child, who gazes downward shyly, and her attentive canine companion, who looks directly out at the viewer.
Context
Given its diminutive size, this "Portrait of a Child" was likely intended for personal adornment or private display, similar to a locket. Miniature portraits served as cherished mementos, often worn as jewelry or kept in small cases, allowing individuals to carry images of loved ones close to them. Its presence in The American Wing suggests its origin within American artistic traditions.
Artist & collection
