Cadwallader Colden and His Grandson Warren De Lancey

Cadwallader Colden and His Grandson Warren De Lancey

Matthew Pratt

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

In this double portrait, Cadwallader Colden, who was a physician, botanist, and physicist, is shown with his arm around his grandson. Colden held strong views on the education of his grandchildren and he often tutored Warren. For the realistic facial expressions, the successful ease of the poses, and the rich color, Pratt was indebted to the art of Copley, who visited New York in 1771. Pratt also painted a standing full-length portrait of Colden, which can be seen at the New-York Historical Society.

The American Wing

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Cadwallader Colden and His Grandson Warren De LanceyCadwallader Colden and His Grandson Warren De LanceyCadwallader Colden and His Grandson Warren De LanceyCadwallader Colden and His Grandson Warren De LanceyCadwallader Colden and His Grandson Warren De Lancey

The American Wing's ever-evolving collection comprises some 20,000 works of art by African American, Euro American, Latin American, and Native American men and women. Ranging from the colonial to early-modern periods, the holdings include painting, sculpture, works on paper, and decorative arts—including furniture, textiles, ceramics, glass, silver, metalwork, jewelry, basketry, quill and bead embroidery—as well as historical interiors and architectural fragments.