"Roman Boy and Girl"

19th century

AN OIL ON CANVAS PAINTING OF A YOUNG BOY AND GIRL (American, 19th century) attributed to George Henry Hall (American, 1823-1913). The painting is an allegory of the 1870 unification of Italy, the girl in the foreground is dressed in a peasant costume (symbolizing the South) with her back to a boy in Tyrolean costume (symbolizing the North) wearing a brown hat with two rows of cord trim and a peacock feather on the right side nestled beneath the trim. The girl has her left hand raised to her cheek with her right hand extended behind her back as she accepts a rose from the admiring boy. Behind the boy, to his right, sits a green floral-painted earthenware jug, in the background hangs muted rose fabric. The label on the reverse reads "Roman Boy and Girl"; the painting rests in a heavily carved and gilded frame.

American

oil on canvas

47" x 38"

Gift of Mr. Alfred T. Morris, Jr.

PSNC.12125