Artist:
Bo Bartlett
(American, b. 1955)
Sitter:
Dray Dayton
Christmas Eve
Medium: Oil on panel
Date: 1994
Dimensions:
12 × 16 in. (30.5 × 40.6 cm)
Accession number: 96.3
Copyright: © Bo Bartlett
Label Copy:
The title of this painting places more attention on the time of year than on the identity of the sitter in Christmas Eve. A note on the back of the painting reveals a second title, The Sexton: Dray Dayton. While Christmas Eve may be a holiday for many, for a sexton, who cares for a church and its grounds, it is a busy work day. Perhaps this accounts for the distracted look on Dayton’s face.
The title of this painting places more attention on the time of year than on the identity of the sitter in Christmas Eve. A note on the back of the painting reveals a second title, The Sexton: Dray Dayton. While Christmas Eve may be a holiday for many, for a sexton, who cares for a church and its grounds, it is a busy work day. Perhaps this accounts for the distracted look on Dayton’s face.