American School Oil on Wood Panel Portrait of a Young Girl, 19^th Century, in 17^th Century manner, unsigned. The child is richly attired in finery indicative of her family’s prosperity. The sleeves have the single slash allowed by strict Puritan sumptuary laws in Massachusetts. Children of both sexes were dressed similarly until the age of six or seven, so the attributes of handheld posy and pet bird inform viewers of their gender.

Note: Related to works of the so-called Freake-Gibbs painter, considered to be one of the most skilled portraitists of the 17^th century colonies. See especially portrait of Margaret Gibbs, circa 1670 in MFA Boston Gallery LG36 (17^th Century New England: Manning House).

Panel 16 in. x 12 in. Framed 19 in. x 15 in.