The Broken Toy 1800 - 1860

"The Broken Toy" is a watercolor on paper created by Alfred Edward Chalon between 1800 and 1860, currently residing at the Art Institute of Chicago. Chalon, a British artist known for his portraiture and genre paintings, captures a poignant scene of a young girl, dressed in green, weeping over a broken toy while two boys and a woman look on. The small size and intimate nature of the composition contribute to the melancholic tone of the work. The scene is set outdoors, likely in a garden, with soft light and muted colors enhancing the gentle yet sorrowful mood. This miniature watercolor demonstrates Chalon's skill in capturing both the physical detail and the emotional impact of his subjects, making it a captivating example of early 19th-century British genre painting.