Envious Critics

1894

8 1/2 × 12 5/8 in. (21.6 × 32.1 cm)

80.3.4

Gift of Amanda K. Berls, 1980

While Jefferson David Chalfant is known for his realistic still-life painting, he was also an accomplished figure painter after he spent two years studying in Paris. Upon his return, he settled in Wilmington, Delaware, and concentrated on genre paintings—depicting scenes of everyday life—such as Envious Critics. This trio of young musicians likely began as models posed in Chalfant’s studio and photographed as the first step in the artist’s creative process. Chalfant then made drawings from the photographs, which eventually led to the finished painting.

Not On View