Cockfighting

This charming portrait shows a little curly-haired boy in a wide-collared shirt and a skeleton suit waving his plumed hat at two cockerels as they square up to each other. The boy is traditionally reputed to be named Henry Spencer Fowke though this is not inscribed on it.

Drawn in graphite on vellum, the portrait is presented in a period giltwood frame that has been re-gilded. The frame is slightly warped but that just adds to the overall charm of the piece.