GIRL IN A BLUE DRESS

This charming portrait of a little girl in a blue dress is a superb example of the work of William Matthew Prior. Based on the price his customer was willing to pay, the renowned folk artist produced paintings of various sizes and degrees of realism. This piece was likely at the top end of his price range as it is full length and depicts the child in fancy dress and jewelry, holding a basket and flower. Prior executed this portrait with a high level of detail and depth that he reserved for his most important works. With the invention of the daguerreotype, Prior likely responded by producing paintings full of detail and color, like the present work, to compete with photography. For an another example of a full length Prior portrait see the following lot. For additional information on Prior see Jacquelyn Oak and Gwendolyn Dubois Shaw, Artist and Visionary: William Matthew Prior Revealed (Cooperstown, NY, 2012).