Captain George Child
SubjectPortrait of
George Child
(1803 - 1840)
PainterPainted by
Unknown
Dateprobably 1820s
MediumMiniature; watercolor on ivory under glass in metal frame in wood case with leather covering
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width ): 2 11/16 x 2 5/16in. (6.9 x 5.8cm)
Frame (height x width x depth ): 3 7/16 x 2 9/16 x 1/8in. (8.7 x 6.5 x 0.4cm)
Other (height x width x depth of case): 4 x 3 7/16 x 9/16in. (10.2 x 8.7 x 1.5cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineGift of Florence Ogle
Object number1972.11.1
DescriptionBust length miniature portrait of a man with brown hair and blue eyes. He is wearing a white shirt, white waistcoat, and dark blue jacket with two gold buttons. The miniature is in an oval metal frame with a loop suspension and an opening on the back that has a locket of brown hair under the glass. The case that the frame is in is square and brown with a red velvet lining.
Label TextGeorge Child was the youngest of ten children, following in his father's footsteps by becoming a ship’s captain. He was the commander of the steamship Lexington, which was on its way to Stonington, Connecticut when it caught fire and sank on the night of 13 January 1840 in Long Island Sound.The tragedy was depicted in the print "Awful Conflagration of the Steam Boat Lexington" by Currier and Ives and Hartford lithographers D.W Kellogg & Co.
NotesDate Note: The subject's clothing suggests that is was probably painted in the1820s (Ozzone 4/4/2013)Status
Not on view
probably 1794
before 1845