Who painted Man and Child (from McGuire Scrapbook)?

Man and Child (from McGuire Scrapbook) was painted by William Page in 1848.

Where can I see Man and Child (from McGuire Scrapbook)?

Man and Child (from McGuire Scrapbook) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Man and Child (from McGuire Scrapbook)?

Man and Child (from McGuire Scrapbook) is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Man and Child (from McGuire Scrapbook)

William Page , 1848

Man and Child (from McGuire Scrapbook) is a watercolor work on paper by the Realist artist William Page. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1848, this watercolor by William Page—titled *Man and Child (from McGuire Scrapbook)*—is part of the American Wing collection. Executed on heavy brown wove paper, the work combines watercolor, white gouache, and gum arabic to render a brief, intimate scene.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows a man in a dark coat cradling a young girl on his lap. She wears a white dress accented with a large bow, her small hands resting on the man's arm. The figures are presented without a detailed background, emphasizing the quiet, domestic moment between the two.

Technique & Style

Page employed the brown substrate to create a muted tonal field, then applied white gouache to the girl's dress, allowing it to stand out against the dark coat and paper. The use of gum arabic helps bind the pigments, giving the watercolor a smooth, luminous quality while preserving fine detail in the faces.

History & Provenance

The piece originates from the McGuire Scrapbook, a personal collection that later entered the museum’s holdings. It has been displayed within the American Wing, illustrating Page’s early work in watercolor portraiture during the mid‑19th century.