Attributed to William M. S. Doyle (1769-1828), c. 1825
Portrait of a Boy (Probably Ellis Norris) with a Cat and a Peach
Pastel on paper
31.5 x 25.5 in.
With original gilt frame 37.5 x 31.5 in.

In her recent research on Dorr family portraits, Deborah Childs has attributed this charming portrait to William Massey Strode Doyle (1769-1828) of Massachusetts, based on close stylistic comparisons to a signed and dated portrait of a child in a Windsor chair (sold Sotheby's, January 16-17, 1999, lot 267). Related elements include the direct gaze of the sitter, and the treatment of the facial features and hands. For additional portraits by Doyle, see Arthur B. and Sybil B. Kerns, "The Pastel Portraits of William M.S. Doyle" The Clarion" (Fall, 1988), pp. 41-47.

This portrait of a boy with his cat was found in the Dorr House in Dorcester, Massachusetts, which was the home of S. Edgar Dorr (1854-1937). Childs' research and family history indicates that the sitter was an ancestor of S. Edgar Dorr. Given that Doyle passed away in 1828, this portrait was likely painted within a few years of his death. If this portrait does date to around 1825, a possible candidate for the sitter would be Ellis Norris, born 1822, who was the younger brother of Thomas J. Norris. Ellis Norris Jr., who was born in 1844, later resided at Savin Hill.

Portrait painters frequently included pets in portraits of children; they symbolize maturity and responsibility and contribute to the overall charm of the portrait. Different elements indicate the gender of the sitter: in the case of this portrait, the side part suggests that the sitter is a boy. For a more complete discussion of gender in nineteenth century child's portraits, see Jennifer Yuninger, Is She or Isn't He: Identifying Gender in Folk Portraits of Children (Heritage Plantation, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1995).

Provenance:
Dorr House, 213 Savin Hill, Dorcester, Massachusetts

Portrait of a Little Girl in a Blue DressPortrait of Frances Elizabeth Swift