Artwork
Thomas Walford Grieve, Aged 11
Thomas Walford Grieve, Aged 11 is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist Alfred Hitchens Corbould. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Alfred Hitchens Corbould painted a portrait of an eleven‑year‑old boy named Thomas Walford Grieve in 1852. Executed in oil, the work is part of the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is presented in formal dress: a dark coat with a crisp white collar, a blue bow tie, and a black hat accented by a red band. His right hand rests in a pocket while his left hand holds the hat, suggesting a poised, restrained demeanor typical of mid‑nineteenth‑century youth portraiture.
Technique & Style
Corbould employs a limited palette of muted tones, allowing the figure to emerge from a dark, undefined background. Careful modeling of the boy’s hair and fabric conveys texture, while the subdued lighting creates a somber atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Since its creation in 1852, the painting has remained in institutional care, eventually entering the holdings of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s portrait collection.
Artist & collection
