Portrait of the Downer Children

Peter Frederick Rothermel, Portrait of the Downer Children, 1850, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Josephine Regar Schlagel, 2000.8
Peter Frederick Rothermel, Portrait of the Downer Children, 1850, oil on canvas, 38 1⁄8 x 48 1⁄8 in. (96.9 x 122.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Josephine Regar Schlagel, 2000.8
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Portrait of the Downer Children
Artist
Date
1850
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
38 1⁄8 x 48 1⁄8 in. (96.9 x 122.2 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Josephine Regar Schlagel
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait group — family — siblings
  • Animal — rabbit
Object Number
2000.8
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2000.8

Artwork Description

Peter Frederick Rothermel created an imaginary landscape of lush vegetation and clouds behind the Downer children, who pose as stiffly as statues. A medieval castle looms in the distance behind Dora, while Amy leans against a stone pedestal, holding her baby brother, Adolph. The white rabbit, a gentle creature of nature, symbolizes the children’s own natural innocence. Captain George Downer and his wife commissioned Rothermel to paint this portrait when he was the director of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, in Philadelphia.

Works by this artist (4 items)

James Surls, Black and White Tipped Flower, 1982, burnt white oak, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase and gift in honor of Adelyn Dohme Breeskin from her friends, 1986.52
Black and White Tipped Flower
Artist
Date1982
burnt white oak
On view
James Surls, Sea Flower, drawing, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1977.47.77
Sea Flower
Artist
drawing
Not on view
James Surls, Me, the Axe, and the Wand, 1982, pine, mahogany, oak, hickory and rattan, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Barbara and Donald Zale in honor of George and Julie Tobolowsky and James and Charmaine Surls, 2005.27A-D, © 1982, James Surls
Me, the Axe, and the Wand
Artist
Date1982
pine, mahogany, oak, hickory and rattan
Not on view
James Surls, Sea Flower, 1978, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, Art-in-Architecture Program, 1977.47.76
Sea Flower
Artist
Date1978
pencil on paper
Not on view

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