Story of Golden Locks

Seymour Joseph Guy American, born England
ca. 1870
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 763
The English-born Guy was celebrated in his lifetime for his appealing and technically accomplished paintings of childhood. Here, the artist has depicted his own children reading a version of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." The young girl’s menacing bearlike shadow and the boys’ wide eyes suggest that they have reached the story’s frightening climax. In addition to the didactic message of the fairy tale—warning children not to wander from home—Guy has presented his adolescent daughter on the verge of change, turning away from childhood games and assuming a more adult, maternal role.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Story of Golden Locks
  • Artist: Seymour Joseph Guy (American (born England), London 1824–1910 New York)
  • Date: ca. 1870
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 34 x 28 in. (86.4 x 71.1 cm)
  • Credit Line: Gift of Daniel Wolf and Mathew Wolf, in memory of their sister, the Honorable Diane R. Wolf, 2013
  • Object Number: 2013.604
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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