
May one see it?
London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
The sitter is wearing one of the full-skirted buttoned coats (often called tunics) which were so fashionable for boys at this time. They were usually worn with fairly wide legged trousers and were not only smart and practical, but could make an intermediary stage between the dresses of the youngest boys and the tailored jackets of the oldest ones. The fashion in the UK was probably influenced by the exaggerated form, with very wide sleeves and skirts, worn by boys in Germany during the 1830s and 40s.
Victoria and Albert Museum