The Ghost Story
George H. Comegys
In this genre painting, a trio of young boys stares intently at their book while a fourth child turns around as if to guard against approaching ghosts. Nineteenth century American genre painting, in contrast with the idealized subjects of history painting, provided popular and vivid depictions of everyday life for a broad audience. The wide-eyed faces of the boys stand in the darkness surrounding them, and suggest that these mischievous children are hiding not only from ghosts, but also from responsibilities that may await them in this genre painting.
Artist
Date of Birth
(1811-1852)
Date
by 1840
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
17 9/16 x 16 13/16 in. (44.60875 x 42.70375 cm.)
Accession #
1879.8.2
Credit Line
Bequest of Henry C. Carey (The Carey Collection)
Copyright
No known copyright restrictions
Category
Subject
Collection
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