exterior garden scene; boy in green suit with lace collar and brass buttons is holding bow and arrow and pointing to a yellow moth in a rose bush; stormy sky ULC

Portrait of Richard John Cock, c. 1817

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Joshua Johnson was the earliest documented professional Black portrait painter in the United States, who forged a successful career primarily in Baltimore, Maryland. A freedman, Johnson attracted prominent clients through a newspaper advertisement referring to himself as a “self-taught genius” inspired by nature. His patrons included politicians, doctors, clergymen, and merchants.

Johnson made several paintings memorializing children after their deaths, commissioned by their grieving families. This full-length portrait depicts Richard John Cock, who died at age 9 in 1817. Here, Richard stands in a lush garden, surrounded by sweet-scented roses and pointing to a moth. Because of the insect’s life cycle, this symbol is aligned with the hope for rebirth, regeneration, transformation, and change.

Details
Title
Portrait of Richard John Cock
Artist Life
c. 1763 - c. 1824
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2018.113
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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exterior garden scene; boy in green suit with lace collar and brass buttons is holding bow and arrow and pointing to a yellow moth in a rose bush; stormy sky ULC