The Emery Children (71.90)

Portrait

Oil on canvas of, from left to right, George, Horace, Josephine, and Charles Emery, of Albany, New York. Josephine wears a pleated yellow dress that hangs off of her shoulders and is tight around the waist. She wears a straw hat with a blue ribbon around the hat and hanging down to her shoulders. Her left foot is visible between two of her brothers. She wears white stockings and dark shoes that lace cross and tie around her ankle. Josephine holds a wreath with greenery and flowers over Horace's head.

Horace is seated on a step and wears an open brown coat with brass buttons over a white shirt with a black tie. He also wears green pants and black shoes. A book with a red cover rests in his lap. His left hand holds the book open on the left side and his right arm is wrapped around his brother, George, with a pencil in his right hand.

George is seated on the ground to the viewer's left of Horace. He wears a child's gown that is pink with white lace around the collar and white trim down the center, down the shoulders, and in three bands around the edge of the skirt. He wears a black belt with a silver buckle. A pair of white pantaloons is visible under the gown and extends to the middle of the shin. George's right leg is the only leg visible and he wears a red, striped sock that is mid-shin high and a black shoe. George leans on the open book with his left arm and holds his head up. His right arm holds the corner of the book.

Charles stands to the viewer's right of Horace. He wears a blue, child's gown with white lace at the collar and cuffs. More, elaborate white lace is visible at the bottom of the gown. A black belt with a silver buckle wraps around his waist. Charles holds a rolling hoop in his left hand and a stick in his right. He uses the stick to point at one of the pages in the book. Charles wears a pair of red socks with a diamond pattern and a pair of black shoes laces around the ankles.

The children are posed in an outdoor scene. To the viewer's left are stone steps with stone balusters and rail. Trees are visible beyond this feature. There are also trees visible to the right of the children. A blue sky with white and pink clouds is visible in between the two sets of trees. A straw hat is visible behind George. A basket of flowers is visible behind Charles. Some flowers lay on the ground underneath the basket.

Assuming that the portrait was painted in 1854, Josephine is 8 years old, Horace is 6 years old, Charles is 4 years old, and George is 2 years old.

Provenance Narrative Charles inherited this portrait after his parents. Charles passed the portrait to his son, G. Stewart Emery. His wife, Edith C. Emery, donated the portrait to the Museum.

Place Made United States NEW YORK Albany

Credit: Mrs. G. Stewart Emery