Portrait of a Child 1842

William Lydston Jr.'s 1842 "Portrait of a Child" is a miniature portrait, a popular genre in the 19th century, showcasing the delicate features of a young child. The sitter is depicted with a serious expression, wearing a white dress with lace trim. The artwork's intimate scale and detailed rendering, executed in graphite on ivory, suggest a close personal connection between the artist and the subject, typical of miniature portraits of the period. Today, the work resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, a testament to the artist's skill and the enduring appeal of portraiture.