Oil on canvas, in a good quality reproduction 18th century frame.
Probably a member of the squirearchy, the young boy looks confidentally out at the viewer, standing with one hand on his hip, the other on his dog.
Although the animal was probably his pet, in portraiture a dog represents fidelity and trust; also when included in a child''s portrait it can signify how children, like animals, need to be trained and disciplined to become responsible adults.
This portrait would have been painted by one of the many provincial portraitists working at the time. Often self taught and untutored, they frequently created entrancing images of their sitters...rarely flattering, they have a powerful naive directness that makes them very appealing to the modern viewer.
SIZE: 30 x 24.5 inches canvas
37 x 32 inches inc. frame..
PROVENANCE: Hampshire Private Collection.
Internal Reference: 884...5
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA308393
Dateline of this antique is 1750
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