Artwork
Samuel Barber Clark
Samuel Barber Clark is an oil painting by the Realist artist James Frothingham. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
The painting depicts a young boy with short, curly brown hair, wearing a black jacket with a white ruffled collar.
The painting depicts a young boy with short, curly brown hair, wearing a black jacket with a white ruffled collar. His right hand is tucked into his jacket, and he gazes directly at the viewer with a neutral expression. The background of the painting is a muted brown color.
The boy's attire and hairstyle suggest that the painting was created during the early 19th century. The artist's use of oil paint and the painting's overall style are consistent with the period.
For more information on the artist behind this portrait, look up James Frothingham.
Overview
Created in 1810, this oil portrait presents a young boy named Samuel Barber Clark. Rendered in a realistic manner, the work is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art and exemplifies early‑19th‑century American portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is depicted with short, curly brown hair, dressed in a black jacket featuring a white ruffled collar. His right hand rests within the jacket, and his steady gaze meets the viewer without overt expression, suggesting a straightforward, dignified representation typical of the era.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a muted brown background that emphasizes the figure’s attire and features. The handling of light and texture aligns with the realism movement, focusing on accurate detail and a naturalistic portrayal of the subject.
History & Provenance
The portrait was painted by James Frothingham, an American portraitist active in Massachusetts and New York. It later entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s American art collection.
Context
Frothingham worked during a period when American artists were adopting European realist techniques to document local individuals. The clothing and hairstyle of the boy reflect contemporary fashions of the early 1800s, situating the work within its historical moment.
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Artist & collection
Artist
James Frothingham (1786–1864) was an American portrait painter in Massachusetts and New York. He was the father of the painter Sarah C. Frothingham.
