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BibliographyPaul S. D'Ambrosio and Charlotte M. Emans, Folk Art's Many Faces: Portraits in the New York State Historical Association, (Cooperstown: NYSHA, 1987), p. 170.
Agnes Halsey and Louis C. Jones, New-Found Folk Art of the Young Republic, (NYSHA, 1960), p. 13 ill. 5.
Artist
Unidentified Artist
(American)
Baby With Flowers And Fruit
Datec. 1800-1825
MediumPastel on laid paper
DimensionsSight: 27 3/4 × 22 5/8 in. (70.5 × 57.5 cm)
Object numberN0251.1961
Credit LineCollection of the Fenimore Art Museum. Gift of Stephen C. Clark
Photograph by Richard Walker
Label TextThis child's full cheeks and round, chubby arms suggest the artist's skill at rendering features of children's anatomy. In addition, the indented wrist and pronounced dimple at the bend of the elbow enhance the childlike appearance of this subject. However, the artist was not able to reconcile the relationship between the child's body, seen in a three-quarter view pose, and his feet, which are depicted in profile.
A colorful and visually appealing element of this portrait is the arrangement of fruit curiously located at the lower left of the composition, to which the child points. The peach, orange, and purple hues of the fruit contrast well with the blue color of the originally green grassy knolls and background, and the fruit's rounded forms echo the fullness of the child's features. The child's shoes are drawn in bright orange and mark the only other area of bold color in this composition.
BibliographyPaul S. D'Ambrosio and Charlotte M. Emans, Folk Art's Many Faces: Portraits in the New York State Historical Association, (Cooperstown: NYSHA, 1987), p. 170.
Agnes Halsey and Louis C. Jones, New-Found Folk Art of the Young Republic, (NYSHA, 1960), p. 13 ill. 5.
On View
Not on view
