Arthur Gabriel Madox Brown as a Baby

This drawing is a portrait of Ford Madox Brown's younger son, Arthur Gabriel Madox Ford, born 16 September 1856. The design conforms with an earlier portrait of Oliver Madox Brown, the eldest son. Arthur Gabriel died the follow year, just a week after his baptism, of inflammation of the brain. Madox Brown also drew him at ten weeks, a work used in 'Take your Son, Sir' and again a week before he died in 'Work'. This is one of five studies drawn between 1847 and 1857 depicting Brown’s four children. They are part of a substantial group of drawings of his children made for personal record and also as studies for future paintings.