Two interpretations regarding James Campbell's portrait by Charles Fraser exist: that he died shortly after the portrait was painted; or that the portrait actually is a posthumous likeness. In his account book Fraser noted "Mr. CampbeIl's son from a bust . . . $50," which may indicate that the boy was already deceased.
Like several of Fraser's other portraits of children, James' head is too large for his body, a quality which is shared by his companion, the dog. In terms of composition, the pose is uncharacteristically complicated and even suggests movement, a curiosity if, in fact, the child was dead.
Notes:
This text is adapted from Martha Severens "The Miniature Portrait Collection of the Carolina Art Association" published by the Carolina Art Association, 1984
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