Portrait of a Man and Child

c. 1860

American 19th Century

Associated Names
The image shows an adult and a child, posed together, in a portrait from the waist up. The adult is seated, with their right arm around the child. The adult has short, neatly-combed dark hair, deep-set eyes, and a serious expression. They are dressed in a dark suit jacket, a white shirt, and a bow tie. The child, also seated, has long light hair that is combed back. They are wearing a light-colored dress with frilled sleeves and dark patterns on the front. The adult’s hand rests on the arm of the chair, which is upholstered in a richly patterned fabric. The photograph has an ornate golden frame with intricate scrolling patterns typical of antique framing. The background is plain, putting the focus on the subjects.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    ambrotype with applied color

  • Credit Line

    Robert B. Menschel and the Vital Projects Fund

  • Dimensions

    image (visible): 7.2 × 5.4 cm (2 13/16 × 2 1/8 in.)
    mat: 7.6 × 6.3 cm (3 × 2 1/2 in.)
    overall: 8.4 × 7.1 cm (3 5/16 × 2 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2008.79.2


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Charles Schwartz Ltd., New York); NGA purchase, 2008.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2009

  • In the Darkroom: Photographic Processes Before the Digital Age, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2009 - 2010, unnumbered catalogue.

2017

  • Posing for the Camera: Gifts from Robert B. Menschel, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2017 - 2018, unnumbered catalogue.

Wikidata ID

Q64144597

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