Artwork
Child with Straw Hat
Child with Straw Hat is an oil painting by the Realist artist William Matthew Prior. It dates from 1846 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1846, this oil on canvas portrays a young child positioned before a dark brown curtain.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1846, this oil on canvas portrays a young child positioned before a dark brown curtain. The figure holds a straw hat in the left hand and a small book in the right, dressed in a white dress trimmed with blue and accented by a red necklace. The child’s neutral gaze meets the viewer directly, establishing a simple yet intimate composition.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on a solitary child, emphasizing innocence and quiet contemplation. The inclusion of everyday objects—a straw hat and a book—suggests a moment of pause or readiness for play, while the modest attire and restrained expression convey a modest, domestic setting typical of mid‑19th‑century portraiture.
Technique & Style
Executed in a straightforward realist manner, the painting employs chiaroscuro to model the figure against the deep curtain, creating depth and highlighting the face and hands. The brushwork is clear and unadorned, reflecting the folk‑art tradition of William Matthew Prior, whose portraits are known for their directness and lack of ornamental excess.
History & Provenance
The piece was painted by American folk artist William Matthew Prior, active in the nineteenth century and noted for his portraiture of families and children. While specific ownership records are limited, the painting remains a representative example of Prior’s oeuvre and of the broader realist tendencies in American folk painting of the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Matthew Prior (May 16, 1806 – January 21, 1873) was an American folk artist known for his portraits, particularly of families and children.
