Artwork
The Lincoln Children
The Lincoln Children is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist Susan Waters. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1845, *The Lincoln Children* is an oil painting by Susan Catherine Moore Waters, a self‑taught American artist of the mid‑nineteenth century. The work is part of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston’s collection and exemplifies the folk‑art tradition that flourished in the United States during that period.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure holds a branch bearing a single purple fruit, the rightmost child peruses an open book, and the leftmost folds her hands.
The composition shows three young girls seated on a patterned rug, each dressed in plain gowns with lace collars. The central figure holds a branch bearing a single purple fruit, the rightmost child peruses an open book, and the leftmost folds her hands. A small dog rests at their feet, while a woven basket of peaches and a few potted plants complete the domestic scene, suggesting a quiet, family‑recording moment.
Technique & Style
Waters employs a straightforward folk‑art aesthetic, emphasizing clear outlines and flat areas of color. The bright pink and white dresses contrast sharply with the dark, patterned floor, and the plain wall behind them, while modest chiaroscuro hints at depth without obscuring the painting’s naïve charm.
History & Provenance
Born in the early nineteenth century, Waters began her career in New York and Pennsylvania, initially painting portraits. After moving to Bordentown, New Jersey, she turned to animal subjects and still lifes. *The Lincoln Children* entered the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston’s holdings as part of its American folk‑art collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Susan Catherine Moore Waters (May 18, 1823 – July 7, 1900) was an American painter.
