Baby Girl

Datec. 1835

Attributed to Erastus Salisbury Field (1805-1900)

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsUnframed: 27 x 21in. (68.6 x 53.3cm) and Framed: 29 1/2 x 23 7/16in.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1967.100.1

DescriptionOil portrait of baby girl seated on light tan plank floor (wood) against neutral background. Baby wears white dress slightly squared, off the shoulders neckline with trim of neckline picked out in black dots and heavy use of white oil impasto to give lace texture. Short sleeves with double ruffles above each elbow, pleated bodice and full skirt. She wears single strand of red coral necklace and white stockings, and black shoes. Shadows on the dress indicate folds. She holds a rose in her right hand. Her arms are chunky, and her fingers are poorly formed. Her hair is cut extremely short with a widow's peak, oval brown eyes small areas of pink on cheeks and dark shadows around her well molded upper lip. Appears as though baby is propped against brick wall.
Label TextIn this quickly painted portrait of a baby seated on a plank floor, the cloud background, enlarged head, slightly pointed ears, black dots to depict lace, and short, stubby fingers are as indicative of Erastus Salis¬bury Field's hand as a signature would be. The faulty rendering of anatomy and perspective create an image that is both amusing and appealing, since the short, formless legs and tiny feet could not possibly support such a chunky body. The unidentified child's coral necklace adds compositional interest by providing a line of color that is repeated in the rose she holds.
MarkingsNone found
ProvenanceMrs. Frances Holden, Linn, Ill; Thomas and Constance Williams