Figure Studies
Child with Straw Hat
William Matthew Prior
A charming example of 19th-century American folk art, depicting a young child with a straw hat.
Boy with Toy Horse and Wagon
William Matthew Prior
1845 · Oil Paint, Canvas
This charming mid-19th-century folk art portrait captures a young boy with his favorite toys in a strikingly flat, graphic style.
$243
For the selected configuration
From $129
1 frame size
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Made to order in ~2 business days · Free U.S. standard shipping (typically 5–8 business days after dispatch)
Where it works
A balanced artwork with steady presence in a warmer tonal register — sits quietly within a room.
- Often works in
- Living Room · Study · Nursery
- Placement
- Works well as a centered vertical note
- Walls
- Best where a lighter wall gives it room to show
- Color notes
- Charcoal black, Rich brown, Warm beige
About the piece
Painted around 1845 by William Matthew Prior, this oil painting is a quintessential example of American folk portraiture. Prior was known for his 'flat' style, which offered a more affordable alternative to traditional academic portraiture, characterized here by simplified features, bold patterns, and a dramatic red curtain backdrop. The inclusion of the meticulously rendered toy horse and wagon adds a playful, narrative element to this historical piece.
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