Boy Holding Bird

Date1830-1850

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsUnframed: 38 1/4 x 29 1/8in. (97.2 x 74cm) and Framed: 45 1/2 x 36 5/8in.

Credit LineGift of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller

Object number1935.100.2

DescriptionOil portrait of boy, standing full length in interior. Rug or patterned floor faintly visible below him, and curtain off the right with wall or door to left. All in colors of brown. Young boy holds a dirty yellow bird aloft in left hand (bird stands on his wrist). He has pouting expression. He wears a brown suit over white pantalettes, and white shirt, ruffles at pants ends, cuffs and neck. His jacket is small and rounded and open in front. He wears black slippers. His eyes and hair are brown. Rather academic and uninteresting painting.
Label TextWhen acquired, this portrait was said to represent Fran¬cois Gabriel "Valcour" Anne (1797-1867), the scion of a wealthy Louisiana family, who became a planter and was noted for his experimentation with sugar refining. This identification is probably erroneous since the boy's costume was in vogue long after Aimes childhood.

The soft, scumbled modeling apparent throughout this painting accounts for the indistinct passages from middle tones to dark color areas. The artist was aware of, if not actually tutored in, academic methods since the general position of the figure, the interior setting with carpet and partially draped background, and the juxtaposition of lights and darks were standard conven¬tions of formal studio painting.

ProvenancePurchased by Mrs. Rockefeller from Mr. Albert Louis Lieutaud, New Orleans, La. Given to C. W. by Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.