Samuel S. Carr (1837-1908)

Description

A charming pastoral portrait depicting a young girl standing amid tall grasses in a sunlit meadow, holding freshly gathered wildflowers. The figure is set against a softly receding landscape, with a distant horizon and tree line lending depth and tranquility to the scene.

Carr’s academic handling is evident in the careful modeling of the figure and costume, contrasted with looser, atmospheric brushwork in the surrounding landscape. Warm earth tones and gentle greens are punctuated by the girl’s red hat and patterned dress, creating a natural focal point and visual balance.

The painting retains its period gilt composition frame, featuring stepped moldings and decorative corner elements, enhancing both its authenticity and visual presence. The canvas and stretcher show honest age consistent with the period, and the work remains in good, stable condition.

Works of this type—sentimental yet finely executed—were highly prized in late-19th-century American homes and continue to appeal to collectors and designers seeking narrative, warmth, and historical character.

Details

• Original oil painting on canvas

• Signed by the artist lower left

• Rich surface texture and visible brushwork

• Likely Period: Late 19th century

• Ready to hang

About the Artist:

Samuel S. Carr was an American Pastoral, landscape, and seashore life painter as well as a skillful painter of children.. Originally from England where he trained at the Royal School of Design in Chester. He relocated to the U.S. around 1862.

Born: October 15, 1837, United Kingdom

Died: 1908, Brooklyn, New York