Mrs. Jacob Hurd and Child

"Mrs. Jacob Hurd and Child," painted by William Johnston around 1762, is a notable example of American portraiture from the colonial period, capturing the likeness of a prominent Bostonian woman and her child. The work reflects the social status and familial values of the time, although specific details about the subjects and the artist's biography remain largely unknown.

"Mrs. Jacob Hurd and Child" by William Johnston, created circa 1762, features a seated woman in a white gown with a blue sash, holding a child in her lap, both figures set against a dark background that enhances their prominence. The composition is characterized by a soft, naturalistic rendering of the subjects, with attention to the textures of the fabrics and the delicate expressions of both mother and child.