Portrait d’enfant 1840

"Portrait d’enfant" (1840) is an oil on canvas portrait by the French Romantic painter Ary Scheffer (1795-1858). The painting is a bust-length portrait of a young child with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. The child is wearing a dark frock coat over a white ruff, and their gaze is fixed on the viewer. The artist's signature can be seen on the right side of the painting, and a subtle background further focuses attention on the sitter. This intimate and expressive portrait is a testament to Scheffer's ability to capture the innocence and vulnerability of childhood.