Rebeckah Barrett

Rebeckah Barrett

Joseph Badger
Boston, Massachusetts 1765
Oil on canvas
76.83
Gift of Mr. Kenneth Wood

Young Rebeckah Barrett is depicted by Joseph Badger with a bird perched on her finger. Birds could symbolize one of many things, including the taming of something wild. Portraits of children in the 18th century were depicted at a crossroads. Their growing independence gradually took new forms and their portraits captured this as they matured to adulthood. The tone and emblems within these portraits symbolized to viewers some of the most important societal values held by those commissioning these portraits.