Lowry William Frederick Dyce (Nephew Of The Artist)

Artist William Dyce (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1806 - 1864)

Associated Lowry William Frederick Dyce

Datec. 1835

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 65.7 cm, Width: 52.1 cm
Frame: Height: 96.3 cm, Width: 82.8 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1914.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG003214

Keywords

About MeThis work has been inspired by the portraits of children by Sir Joshua Reynolds, in which the sitter is often posed full length and full face, with hands clasped and a straightforward gaze. Here the effect is simple and deeply touching - it is one of Dyce's most successful and charming of child portraits. It is however irreparably damaged by bitumen, which he and many other early 19th century artists used not only to achieve a glossy dark background but, as here, also for the pupils of his sitters' eyes.

The sitter was the son of the artist's eldest brother Dr Robert Dyce. Lowry's life was cut tragically short when he was accidentally drowned in the River Don at the age of sixteen.