The Best Children
Thomas LAWRENCE
(British, 1769-1830)
The Best Children
Dateca. late 1820s
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensionsoverall: 80 × 53 1/2 in. (203.2 × 135.9 cm)
frame: 95 1/2 × 69 × 4 in. (242.6 × 175.3 × 10.2 cm)
crate: 102 × 73 × 12 in. (259.1 × 185.4 × 30.5 cm)
weight: 162 lb. (73.5 kg)
ClassificationPAINTINGS
Credit LineCollection of the Hammer International Foundation
Object numberL.2020.4
Subject(s)
- boys
- girls
- animal
- dog
- flowers
- architecture
- portraits
Collection
- 19th century European
On View
On viewLabel TextAlthough identified by specialists as three of the four children of William Samuel Best, second Baron of Wynford, the manner of composition is more typical of the artist’s earlier career; however, the birth of the eldest son of Best in 1826 would mean that the painting was executed much later. It is likely that the faces alone are by the hand of Sir Lawrence while the rest of the painting may be the product of studio assistants.
