Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

Why is a kid so young holding a hammer and where is he?

The hammer in his hand is a device used in portraiture to show the qualities or aspirations of the sitter. The hammer, specifically, shows that this child was going to have a career outside of the home. It would also have reflected the toys children commonly had at the time, which helped them learn about adult responsibilities. He is sitting on a chair with a curtain draped in the background. This type of setting was typical of portraits at the time. It doesn't really suggest a specific space, but still conveys some information to the viewer about the sitter's wealth and status.

Thanks

Portrait of a Child of the Harmon Family

American Art

CULTURE American

MEDIUM Oil on canvas

DATES ca. 1840s

DIMENSIONS 28 x 23 3/4in. (71.1 x 60.3cm) frame: 38 × 34 × 2 in. (96.5 × 86.4 × 5.1 cm)

COLLECTIONS American Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 1999.111.1

CREDIT LINE Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jason Berger

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Child facing right

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

RECORD COMPLETENESS

Not every record you will find here is complete. More information is available for some works than for others, and some entries have been updated more recently. Records are frequently reviewed and revised, and we welcome any additional information you might have.

Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

Why is a kid so young holding a hammer and where is he?

Thanks