Isaac Josiah and William Mulford Hand

William Matthew Prior

American

William Matthew Prior worked in New England, though he traveled widely in search of painting commissions. He painted oil portraits and a few landscapes, as well as reverse glass portraits of famous people, such as George and Martha Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, and Napoléon Bonaparte. Prior advertised his services in New England newspapers in the 1820s, indicating that he did oil painting, bronzing, oil gilding, varnishing, and mechanical drawings, though he primarily worked as a portraitist.

Born
1806
Died
1873
Isaac Josiah and William Mulford Hand by William Matthew Prior

What are the joys of childhood?

Isaac and William were descendants of John Hand, who emigrated from England to Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1635. Both sons were born in Lynn, and this double portrait celebrates the joys of childhood in early America. While many early American portraits of children included toys, Prior depicted the Hand brothers and their kite and drum with particular delight. The landscape view, with its brushy, highlighted trees and pink sunset sky, is characteristic of Prior’s portrait commissions.

Medium
Oil on canvas mounted on hardboard
Credit

Gift of Roger Sturtevant

Item ID
54116
Dimensions
29 3/4 x 25 5/8 in. (75.6 x 65.1 cm)
Date
ca. 1845
Country
Artist name
William Matthew Prior
Artwork location