Why is a kid so young holding a hammer and where is he?
The hammer in his hand is a device used in portraiture to show the qualities or aspirations of the sitter. The hammer, specifically, shows that this child was going to have a career outside of the home. It would also have reflected the toys children commonly had at the time, which helped them learn about adult responsibilities. He is sitting on a chair with a curtain draped in the background. This type of setting was typical of portraits at the time. It doesn't really suggest a specific space, but still conveys some information to the viewer about the sitter's wealth and status.
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