Master Schaum 1808 - 1810

Jacob Eichholtz's "Master Schaum" is an oil-on-canvas portrait of a young boy holding a hammer, painted between 1808 and 1810. The work is characteristic of Eichholtz's style, a prominent American portrait painter known for his depictions of everyday life and its figures. The small scale of the work, 22.9 × 17.5 cm (9 × 6 7/8 in.), highlights the intimate nature of portraiture in the early 19th century. Currently located at the Art Institute of Chicago, "Master Schaum" offers a glimpse into the lives of American families during the early 19th century. The young boy's attire and expression, along with the hammer, suggest a playful yet serious personality, perhaps a budding craftsman or an aspiring builder.