Twin Boys, possibly by William Kennedy

Like the work of Ammi Phillips, also on view in this gallery, this pair of portraits strikes a judicious balance between individuality and fashionable convention. The careful attention to likeness and character is highlighted by the distinctive but subtle nuances in each boy’s facial features, associated accessories, and different backgrounds. Tenderly depicted, each brother is his own person, even as the similarities between the two images document the closeness of their family relationship.