The artwork “Daniel Crommelin Verplanck” by John Singleton Copley, completed in 1771, is an oil painting on canvas belonging to the Neoclassical art movement. The artwork is a portrait, measuring 125.73 x 101.6 cm.
In the artwork, a young boy, presumably Daniel Crommelin Verplanck, is seated on an architectural structure, possibly a step or a pedestal, with a serene landscape as the backdrop. The boy is elegantly dressed in a reddish-brown ensemble, with white stockings and black shoes, exuding an air of gentility. He holds a small chain in his right hand, at the end of which dangles a pet squirrel, perched calmly on his lap. The surrounding scenery, with trees and distant hills, is rendered with soft, atmospheric lighting, enhancing the overall tranquility and formality of the portrait. The boy’s gaze is directed towards the viewer, and his composed demeanor and the meticulous attention to detail in his clothing and the background reflect the artist’s skill and the Neoclassical emphasis on order and clarity.
