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Portrait 2018.100.8
Portrait of a Young Man Holding a Riding Crop
Portrait 2018.100.8

Portrait of a Young Man Holding a Riding Crop

Dateca. 1790
OriginEngland (probably)
MediumOil on canvas
DimensionsOH: 21 in.; OW: 15 in.
Credit LineGift of Catharine and Kevin Broderick
Object number2018.100.8,A&B
DescriptionPortrait of a young boy holding a riding crop. He is wearing a green jacket over a brown waistcoat and brown pants.
Label TextThis companion pair of portraits of a young boy and girl were likely painted in England about 1790. He is painted in adult style clothing with coat, waistcoat, which was possibly made of corduroy, and breeches which depict him as a young man rather than a child who would have still been dressed in a gown. The cuff of the boy’s jacket and use of large oval buttons were both fashionable from about 1785 to 1795. In his right hand he holds a riding crop which completes his look of a young gentleman.

The portrait of the young girl shows her in a back fastening gown that would have been popular for woman of all ages in both England and America during the time period. Her fancy cap has also high style and similar caps can be found in English paintings by Johann Zoffany and Francis Alleyne.