<div class="description">
The Bostonians Jeremiah and Mary Rand Belknap commissioned a small-scale, full-length portrait of their son Jeremiah (1752-about 1830) when he was around six years old, if the boy's proportions are an accurate guide to his age.  The sight of this portrait would let the young Belknap know that certain things were expected of him as he matured:  the attentive dog concerns an ability to command social authority, while his grown-up clothes---including the hat worn under his arm in the French manner---relates to a mastery of adult behavior.  One of the first native-born American painters, Badger produced numerous portraits in Boston following the decline of John Smibert's painting practice around 1745.  Badger's hard edges and flat forms suggest that he was sefl-taught and that he would not have satisfied those patrons who had become accustomed to Smibert's more vigorous style.</div>
<div class="fn value">
Joseph Badger</div>
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