Negro Boys on the Quayside
circa 1865 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
This oil on canvas depicts four Black boys lounging on a pier with a busy harbor and shipping vessels in the background. It is a work of American genre painting characteristic of the mid-19th century.
Did you know?
While originally attributed to David Norslup in some records, this painting is widely recognized as the work of David Gilmour Blythe. The artist was known for his social commentary and often depicted scenes of urban life, though this work captures a rare, relaxed moment of youth against the backdrop of the bustling industrial maritime commerce of the era.
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Negro Boys on the Quayside
David Gilmour Blythe, circa 1865