Thomas Hickey

Signed and dated 1782, this charming portrait of a young boy was painted by Irish artist Thomas Hickey. An intrepid adventurer, Hickey journeyed to India, China, Ireland, England, Portugal, and Italy over the course of his career. In July 1780, the artist set sail for Calcutta in pursuit of new opportunities. The ship—and his career—changed course, however, when French forces captured the British convoy en route and diverted it to Cadiz. In hopes of boarding a London-bound vessel, Hickey made his way to the port city of Lisbon, where he was greeted by an overwhelming flood of portrait commissions. Persuaded by the enthusiastic demand for his talent, Hickey remained in Portugal for the next four years, during which time he painted this lively portrait.

The sitter, presumably the son of an aristocratic Portuguese family, is invigorated by the bold, saturated hues of his costume —cherry, burgundy, and dusty rose—and tinge of red in his cheeks. Standing on a balcony that overlooks his family estate, he conveys an attitude of casual elegance. With his left hand tucked formally into his waistcoat, the young boy seemingly addresses the beholder with an outward gaze and inviting gesture. Here, Hickey balances the formality of portraiture with a remarkable sense of freshness and vitality by rendering the landscape with rapid, energetic brushstrokes of unmodulated color.