The artwork titled “Mrs. David Steele Lamme and Son, William Wirt” was created by the artist George Caleb Bingham in the year 1837. This portrait, which is a part of the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement, depicts a woman named Mrs. David Steele Lamme and her young son, William Wirt, showcasing their relationship through a tender and intimate representation.
In the artwork, Mrs. Lamme is seated indoors, cradling her son who sits on her lap. She is adorned in a green dress with puffed sleeves and a white shawl, her head covered with a bonnet tied with a blue ribbon. The young boy, nestled in her arms, wears a red dress and gazes directly at the viewer with calm composure. The background features a window with a serene outdoor scene, including a body of water and soft, evening sky, further enhancing the tranquil and nurturing atmosphere of the portrait. The overall composition underscores the close bond between mother and child, rendered in the distinctive, direct style characteristic of Primitive Art.
