Johnson’s portraits of children and adolescents were often part of a larger commission to paint whole families. In some instances, the children had died and their parents wished to have a reminder of their loved ones. —PH
MacGibeny, 2021: The meaning of the name "Narcissa" on the plate on the frame is not known. It may have been the sitter's nickname.
Swann Auction Galleries sale catalogue, 2020: "This painting was commissioned as a gift for the sitter's father, Isaac Stern (1844–1910), when the sitter turned 4 years old. According to the inscription on the painting, there may be a portrait of her sister, which would have been paired with this painting. May Stern (née Harlow) was born into New York high society during the Gilded Age. Her father was one of the founders of the regional department store chain Stern Brothers, which was in business in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than a century. Her brother, Robert, who modified his surname to Stearns (1888–1954), was the co-founder of the investment bank Bear Stearns in 1923. A portrait of the sitter's mother, Virginia Michels Stern (1862–1927) painted in 1868 by Jules LeFebvre (1836–1911) is currently in the collection of the Museum of the City of New York."
Rough translation: Good morning, dear daddy! / Today is your birthday yes . / There come both sisters / And wish you happiness and joy / We want to be dear children. / That you can enjoy us. / 9 May 1886.
May Valentina Stern (later Harlow) (1882–1969). According to Swann Auctions, the sitter was the daughter of Issac and Virginia (Michels) Stern; Mr. Stern was the head of Stern Brothers, New York City's grandest Gilded Age department store. A portrait of Mrs. Stern is owned by the Museum of the City of New York. May had a sister, Lucille Wertheim (Stern) (1884–1980), who likely lived in the Netherlands; and a brother, Robert, who modified his name to Stearns (1888–1954) and was the cofounder of the investment bank Bear Stearns.
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