The Knapp Children 1830 - 1834

Samuel Lovett Waldo was a prominent American portraitist of the early 19th century, and this work, "The Knapp Children" is a fine example of his skills. This painting, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts the three Knapp children in a formal setting, arranged in a pyramid-like formation, with the oldest sibling standing at the back and the youngest seated on a stool in front. The children's clothing, furniture, and even the pet dog convey an aura of wealth and social status, highlighting the important role of portraiture in defining identity within the 19th-century American upper class.