Boy with Broken Tambourine

Thomas Crawford, born New York City 1813?-died London, England 1857 · 1854

Thomas Crawford was best known for his large public statues, but he also created many smaller sculptures of children. During the Victorian era, the infant mortality rate was high and families often commissioned artists to create idealized portraits of their children as keepsakes. The child in this sculpture looks forlorn as he gazes down at his broken tambourine. The baton in his other hand suggests he was responsible for the damage and is now regretting his boisterous behavior.