Little Girl with Pet Rabbit c. 1845

Sturtevant Hamblin, working in the nineteenth century, painted this portrait of a "Little Girl with Pet Rabbit". Hamblin was an itinerant portrait painter active in the Massachusetts region of the United States. The portrait’s charm and simplicity belies the complex social and economic conditions of early America. The young girl, rendered with a remarkable directness, is a study in the construction of childhood. The trappings of her youth - her fashionable dress, delicate gold necklace, and beloved pet - speak to her family's aspirations and status. The act of commissioning a portrait, especially for a child, underscores the values placed on posterity, family legacy, and perhaps, a certain level of social standing. The rabbit, nestled in the girl’s arms, introduces an element of tenderness. It also invites questions about the relationship between humans and animals, and the ways in which affection is cultivated. Ultimately, the painting preserves a moment of childhood, offering us a glimpse into a world where innocence, status, and societal expectations are carefully interwoven.