Portrait of an Oil Lamp Filler

1860s

American 19th Century

Associated Names
The image displays an upper-body portrait of a young child standing. The child has a neutral expression with visible facial features such as round cheeks and light-colored eyes. The child's hair is short and is visible beneath a dark hat. They are wearing a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt with buttons and a ribbon tied at the neck, paired with dark trousers. In each hand, the child holds a metal container—one smaller and upright in the left hand and a larger one with a handle in the right hand. The image is encased in an ornate, gold-colored frame with intricate detailing. The background is a plain, dark surface.

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

  • Credit Line

    The Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection

  • Dimensions

    image (visible): 6.6 × 5.4 cm (2 5/8 × 2 1/8 in.)
    mat: 8.2 × 7 cm (3 1/4 × 2 3/4 in.)
    case: 9.2 × 8 × 1.3 cm (3 5/8 × 3 1/8 × 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2023.146.45


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Ross Kelbaugh, Marriottsville, MD; gift to NGA, 2023.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

by Ross Kelbaugh, top edge of case in black ink on applied sticker: KL014


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