Portrait of Breaker Boys

American 19th Century

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts two young boys kneeling on a patterned rug on a wooden floor. Both boys are shown from the knees up. The boy on the left wears a dark, fur-like hat and jacket, while the boy on the right wears a flat cap and a dark jacket with a visible shirt underneath. Each boy holds large chunks of rock or ore and a small hammer. Their facial features are somewhat indistinct due to the age and quality of the photo, but both appear youthful, with the boy on the left being slightly blurred. The backdrop shows a scene with a large fountain and foliage, resembling an outdoor setting.