Where I Describe a Painting from the Perspective of a Daughter of Edward Darley Boit

We are the daughters of Edward Darley Boit. He is away now. My little sister, Elizabeth, sits on the floor with her doll. It is almost night time. Papa should be home soon. He works at the bank. Mama and Papa collect art. They have lovely China vases all throughout the house. Lizzie's doll is named Sally. Sally has blonde hair, a bonnet, and a long pink dress. The painter comes once a week to make the portrait for Papa. It is Mama's surprise to him. She is going to hang it in the main hall, so that all the visitors will see it when they come in. He has us stand around the library, and not move for a long time. He says funny things and his smock is always dirty with paint. Not all of us face him. My eldest sister, Victoria, is sideways. You can hardly see her face at all! The library is a peculiar place for us to pose. The light is too dim. Mama promised us sweets after dinner if we all stand still for the painter man. They say he's a great artist.

I don't like the way he's drawing us.

Click for painting.