James Badger 1760

Joseph Badger’s 1760 portrait “James Badger” is a classic example of Colonial American portraiture. The work features a young boy, depicted with a bird, a common symbol of innocence and purity. The subject’s attire and the presence of a lush landscape in the background evoke a sense of wealth and status, reflecting the social hierarchy of the time. This oil-on-canvas portrait, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a testament to the artistic skill of Joseph Badger, one of the most notable portrait painters of his era.