Portrait of a Boy 1856

"Portrait of a Boy," attributed to James B. Read, is an oil on canvas portrait painting depicting a young boy standing on a porch. Painted in 1856, the painting captures the boy's formal attire, with a red jacket, white pants, and a straw hat held in his hand. The sitter is positioned against a backdrop of a lattice fence and a flowering vine, with a book resting on a ledge behind him, suggesting a scene of quiet contemplation. This painting exemplifies the style of 19th-century American portraiture and is a valuable documentation of children's clothing and fashion of the period.