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1957.100.15, Portrait
Portrait of Two Children
1957.100.15, Portrait

Portrait of Two Children

Dateca. 1760
Attributed to Joseph Badger (1708 - 1765)
OriginAmerica, Massachusetts, Boston (probably)
MediumOil on canvas
DimensionsUnframed: 41 1/8 x 49 3/4in. (104.5 x 126.4cm) and Framed: 46 1/4 x 54 3/4 x 1 3/4in.
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1957.100.15,A&B
DescriptionOil portrait in horizontal format of two children standing full length in landscape setting. Ground in front bare, with trees behind taller child to left and very low mountains in distance and low horizon, white clouds billowing behind them and areas of blue sky in upper right corner. Taller child on left in long blue satin appearing dress, with large pleat in front, rounded low neckline, five big brass buttons down front, and tight fitting sleeves with large cuffs turned up and buttoned just below elbow, with white undersleeves visible below skirt. Black ribbon tied in bow around throat, brown hair pulled back. He holds a grey squirrel on a chain in his left hand. The smaller child is also in a full length satin appearing dress with a wide skirt, slightly pointed waistline with skirt slightly gathered at the waist, low oval neckline, sleeves below the elbow, which show puffy undersleeves white below. She wears pointed shoes of same material below, and a white tight fitting cap on her blonde hair, her eyes are blue, and she holds a rattle with a large pink coral handle and silver bells in her left hand. Both children have a roundish fairly solemn face.

The 3-inch, black-painted, molded frame is possibly original.
Label TextThe identity of the sitters in this painting has never been adequately established, although some evidence indicates that they are the children of Captain and Mrs. Stephen Brown of Hamilton, Massachusetts, a town just north of Boston.
None of Joseph Badger’s portraits are signed, and attributions to him are based on several surviving portraits documented through eighteenth-century family records.
The double portrait serves as a useful comparison with Daniel Badger’s paintings of an unidentified musician and Sarah Badger Noyes. Similarities include the rather flat, linear quality and dark outlines of forms often associated with sign and ornamental painting, the type of training both Joseph and Daniel Badger would have had.

MarkingsNone noted
ProvenanceFound in England and purchased from the Hon. Claud Phillimore.
Exhibition(s)