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Children with Toys

Dateca. 1845

Attributed to Sturtevant J. Hamblin (ac. 1837-1856)

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsUnframed: 36 1/4 x 29 1/8in. (92.1 x 74cm) and Framed: 40 5/8 x 33 3/4in.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1957.100.5

DescriptionDouble full length, full-face portrait of two children one standing, one seated. The seated figure is on a four legged bamboo- turned red Windsor stool with yellow pinstriping & black outlining. She/he is wearing a blue dress with low waist & neckline, shaded with white and black strokes ; short sleeves with white lace trim; black shoes with ankle strap with yellow & white button, white figured stockings & white pantalettes with ruffled edging. The seated figure has blond hair combed forward at temples & in a curl at middle forehead; blue eyes & red lips. The standing figure is wearing a red dress with long waist & figured waistband & sleeve bands, shaded with darker reds & black lines & strokes. Dress has closed neck & short sleeves with white lace trim. Black shoes that button in front ; three yellow & white buttons. White figured stockings & ruffled edged pantalettes similar to those worn by seated figure. Identical facial coloration & hair treatment to seated figure. The standing figure has a black & white handled whip with yellow whip string in his left hand with his right hand resting on his companion's right shoulder. He/she holds a pink pull string in her/his hands on her lap; the pull string is attached to a yellow, blue-lined toy wagon with red wheels in lower right corner; white axle tips with black pins. Figures are against plain grey shaded background.
Label TextThe attribution of this wonderful double portrait of based on its similarity to Hamblin's signed Portrait of Ellen in a private collection and to a relatively large group of full-length portraits related to that painting which are recorded in the Folk Art Center's research files. While the hands of the two children in this portrait reveal the outlining characteristic of Hamblin's approach to rendering them, there is a degree of modeling that is more developed than the ‚ artist's usual effort. An Examination of certain other portraits attributed to him show that, like William M. Prior, Hamblin was capable of painting in a more polished manner when the occasion demanded.
MarkingsNone found
ProvenanceFound in Concord, Mass and purchased from Edith Gregor Halpert, Downtown Gallery, New York, N.Y.