Attributed to Susan Catherine Waters ( 1823 - 1900)
Portrait of a Girl and Her Dog in a Grape Arbor
ca. 1855-1860
Oil on canvas
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2010.2. Photography by Robert LaPrelle.


In the late nineteenth century, there was increased interest in romanticizing the innocence of children, and artists explored ways to represent an ideal childhood. Symbols of typical girlhood often included gardens of flowers and playing with pets—items to be tended and cared for.

Although this girl remains unidentified, she is portrayed in high-class fashion of the time, including a full-skirted dress and high, front-lacing boots.

Attributed to Susan Catherine Waters ( 1823 - 1900)
Portrait of a Girl and Her Dog in a Grape Arbor
ca. 1855-1860
Óleo sobre lienzo
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2010.2. Photography by Robert LaPrelle.


A finales del siglo XIX, creció el interés por idealizar la inocencia de los niños, y algunos artistas exploraron formas de representar la niñez ideal. En el caso de las niñas, los símbolos típicos de la niñez solían incluir jardines de flores y el juego con mascotas, ambos de los cuales debían cuidar.

A pesar de que esta niña no ha sido identificada, su vestimenta es representativa de la moda de la alta sociedad de la época, con un vestido de falda larga y botas altas de amarre frontal.