Artwork
Daughter of William Page (Probably Mary Page)
Daughter of William Page (Probably Mary Page) is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist William Page. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This work captures a young girl in a profile view, a compositional choice that lends the painting an unusual sense of intimacy and contemplation for its period.
William Page's Daughter of William Page (Probably Mary Page), painted around 1840, is an oil on canvas portrait housed in The American Wing. This work captures a young girl in a profile view, a compositional choice that lends the painting an unusual sense of intimacy and contemplation for its period. The artist, William Page, likely depicted his own daughter, Mary, presenting a quiet and reflective image rather than a direct gaze typical of many mid-19th-century portraits.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait features a young girl seated in profile, her head turned slightly to reveal a soft cheek and a single dark eye. Dressed in a simple white garment with her dark hair neatly pulled back, her hands rest gently in her lap. This introspective pose, where the subject appears lost in thought rather than engaging with the viewer, distinguishes the work. It suggests a focus on the sitter's inner world, offering a tender and private glimpse into childhood.
Technique & Style
Page employed a gentle, diffused light, reminiscent of early morning, to illuminate the girl's features softly against a plain background. This minimalist approach, devoid of elaborate props or settings, emphasizes the sitter herself. The choice of a profile view was less common for portraits during the 1840s, when direct engagement was prevalent.
This stylistic decision, combined with the subdued lighting and simple composition, contributes to the painting's distinctive quietude and reflective mood.
Artist & collection
