Henry Leroy, as a Child c. 1845 - 1850

Editor: This is Camille Corot's "Henry Leroy, as a Child," a simple pencil drawing, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The child's expression seems so serious. What can you tell me about its place in the history of portraiture? Curator: Well, portraiture of children in the 19th century, particularly in the rising middle class, became a marker of social status, reflecting evolving notions of childhood. The somber tone might reflect societal expectations of children to be seen and not heard, yet it also challenges the saccharine images popular at the time. Do you think it succeeds in this regard? Editor: Absolutely! It feels much more genuine than the idealized images. I hadn't considered how social class plays into it. Curator: Indeed, and Corot, with his Barbizon School leanings, often sought a realism that challenged academic conventions. Editor: That’s a great insight. I learned so much! Curator: Me too; thinking about Corot in this new light has been invaluable.