Artwork
Portrait of a Boy
Portrait of a Boy is a watercolor painting by the Romanticist artist Augustus Fuller. It dates from 1842 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This small-scale work captures a young subject with a direct gaze, rosy complexion, and tousled hair.
Augustus Fuller's 1842 *Portrait of a Boy* is a delicate watercolor miniature rendered on ivory. This small-scale work captures a young subject with a direct gaze, rosy complexion, and tousled hair. Created using a precise and demanding technique, the portrait exemplifies the detailed artistry characteristic of American miniatures from the period, offering an intimate glimpse into 19th-century portraiture and currently residing in The American Wing.
Subject & Meaning
The miniature depicts a young boy, presented in a dark jacket, who engages the viewer with a direct, steady gaze. His features, including rosy cheeks and disheveled hair, convey a sense of youthful vitality. The exceptionally small scale of the portrait, which is smaller than a playing card, underscores its intimate nature, suggesting it was likely created for personal viewing or as a cherished family memento.
Technique & Style
Creating portraits in watercolor on ivory was a meticulous and costly practice during the 19th century. Artists achieved subtle effects by applying thin, transparent washes, a technique known as glazing, in successive layers to build up soft shadows and vibrant colors. Fuller's execution in *Portrait of a Boy* demonstrates exceptional control, with brushstrokes so fine they are nearly invisible, contributing to the work's smooth and refined surface.
Artist & collection
