“Stop and observe the engaging gaze of young Fred Adelbert Haywood in this charming 1848 portrait. The artist's focus on his lively features offers a vivid connection to childhood in the mid-19th century.”
This intimate portrait captures Fred Adelbert Haywood, a young boy with bright, curious eyes, looking directly out at us. His rosy cheeks and slightly tousled hair give him a lively, natural appearance. The artist has placed him against a dark, undefined background, which makes his face and the details of his clothing stand out with striking clarity. Painted in 1848, the work feels remarkably fresh, offering a glimpse into childhood in the mid-19th century. The careful rendering of light on his features suggests a moment of quiet observation, inviting us to connect with the sitter across time. This painting on panel, though small, conveys a strong sense of personality and presence, typical of the era's desire for realistic and engaging portraits.
- Artist
- School of William Matthew Prior
- Date
- 1848
- Medium
- Oil on panel
- Location
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Dimensions
- 35.6 × 26 cm (14 × 10 1/4 in.)
- Collection
- Arts of the Americas
- Culture
- United States
- Credit line
- Gift of the Estate of Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The subtle blush in his cheeks, suggesting a healthy glow.
The way light catches his hair, creating soft highlights.
The intricate detail of his white collar and dark coat.
His direct gaze, making eye contact with the viewer.
1 more detail is waiting.
See all 5 in Art Whisper →Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through Portrait of Fred Adelbert Haywood — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Further Works by Prior
More works to explore
Beyond Prior: works from the same years.
Same era · 1830s–1860s
The Cottage by the Roadside, Stormy Sky
Léon-Victor Dupré · 1855 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1830s–1860s
The Backgammon Players
Philip Webb · 1861 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1830s–1860s
Wooded Landscape
Gustave Courbet · 1848 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1830s–1860s
Arab Horseman Attacked by a Lion
Eugène Delacroix · 1849 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1830s–1860s
Mount Chocorua and Moat Mountain from North Conway
William Hart · 1850
Same era · 1830s–1860s
Woman Feeding Chickens
Jean-François Millet · 1850 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1830s–1860s
Joséphine-Éléonore-Marie-Pauline de Galard de Brassac de Béarn (1825–1860), Princesse de Broglie
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres · 1853 · Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1830s–1860s
Olive Trees
Vincent van Gogh · 1853 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1830s–1860s
Snow Storm: Steam-Boat off a Harbour's Mouth
J. M. W. Turner · 1842 · National Gallery
Same era · 1830s–1860s
Young Spartan Girls Challenging Boys
Edgar Degas · 1860 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1830s–1860s
A Sketch
Mariano Fortuny Marsal · 1862 · Hispanic Society of America
Same era · 1830s–1860s
Designs for a Decorated Dish, or Platter, and a Biscuit Barrel
Alfred Henry Forrester [Alfred Crowquill] · 1845 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art

