19th Century Framed Portrait of a Girl, "Little Orphant Annie" Oil on Canvas

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Late 19th century unsigned oil portrait of a young girl, titled "Little Orphant Annie" in a gold painted and black … Read more Late 19th century unsigned oil portrait of a young girl, titled "Little Orphant Annie" in a gold painted and black wood frame. Inspired after James Whitcomb Riley's 1885 poem bearing the same name about a young girl named Mary Alice Smith who lived with the author's family, this portrait represents the love and immense regard they had for her. Her nickname was Allie but due to a typo in production, her name accidentally became Annie, and it remained as such. The classic, regal presentation of the work, usually reserved for those of status, portrays her with the same artistic respect and reflects the family's admiration of her. The unknown artist adds to the poetry of the piece who, much like Mary Alice herself, lived quietly and work diligently behind the scenes. The painting stands as a timeless, quiet moment to a girl who was deeply loved.

She is shown in a simple collared dress honoring beauty in everyday, ordinary life. The canvas displays a slightly weathered texture giving it a beautiful, time-honored aesthetic and is housed in a handcrafted gold painted and pebbled black wood frame. In verso displays handwritten "Little Orphant Annie" with additional faded script below. A wonderful example of a treasured piece of historic Americana folk art. See less