Nude with Cherub Holding a Mirror

1860s-1870s

William P. Babcock

Associated Names
William Perkins Babcock

Artist, American, 1826 - 1899

The image shows a seated figure with the upper body and arms raised, possibly stretching or adjusting their hair. Their long hair cascades downwards, accompanied by delicate facial features. The figure appears to be unclothed, with portions of the legs and feet also visible, draped in fabric around the lower body. Beside them, a small winged figure holds a rounded mirror or disk. The background features a mix of vertical and horizontal shading, suggesting an outdoor or nature-like setting with the presence of tall, thin plants or trees. The overall tone of the image is rendered in soft, dark tones.

Media Options

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Artwork overview


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Brodney Gallery, Boston, Massachusetts); Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1951; acquired 2015 by the National Gallery of Art

Associated Names

Bibliography

1983

  • Simmons, Linda Crocker and with the assistance of Adrianne J. Humphrey, et al. American Drawings, Watercolors, Pastels, and Collages in the Collection of the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Washington, DC: Corcoran Gallery of Art, 1983: p. 40, no. 279.

Inscriptions

lower left verso in graphite by unknown hand: "Nude with Cupid, Holding Mirror" / TL / 7669.196 / W. P. Babcock

Wikidata ID

Q64639044

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