May 13, 2014–January 8, 2017
Probably Lowell, Massachusetts
c. 1831–1832
Watercolor, gouache, pencil, and ink on paper
Collection American Folk Art Museum, New York
Gift of Ralph Esmerian, 2013.1.13
Photo © John Bigelow Taylor, New York
Master Burnham
In contrast to the small, drab-color portraits of the Burnhams, the Shutes’ likeness of the surviving Burnham son is in beautiful transparent blues and on the large scale more usually associated with their work. A flourishing rosebush next to the boy stands in poignant comparison to the fallen roses and wreath in the mourning piece for his sister.
Stacy C. Hollander, “Master Burnham,” exhibition label for Self-Taught Genius: Treasures from the American Folk Art Museum. Stacy C. Hollander and Valérie Rousseau, curators. New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2014.
Self–Taught Genius: Treasures from the American Folk Art Museum and its national tour are made possible by generous funding from the Henry Luce Foundation, as part of its 75th anniversary initiative.
