William Hahn (German-American, 1829-1887), The Little Truant

Oil on canvas (lined), 1883, signed and dated at lower right, later frame.

Stretcher size 31 1/4 x 25 1/2 in.; Frame dimensions 37 x 30 3/4 in.

William Hahn was a German-born painter celebrated for his vivid genre scenes and energetic depictions of 19th-century American life, especially in California. Born in Ebersbach, Saxony, he trained at the Dresden Academy and later at the Düsseldorf Academy, where he developed the precise draftsmanship and narrative clarity that shaped his mature work.

Hahn immigrated to the United States in the early 1870s, settling in Boston before moving to San Francisco, where he became best known for lively market scenes, street views, and portrayals of everyday social interaction. He often included humor in his compositions, capturing mischievous children, lively animals, or playful moments with subtle wit. Working closely with his friend and fellow painter Toby Rosenthal, he created detailed compositions that captured the character of bustling urban life as well as rural activity. Hahn exhibited widely and received strong support from California patrons, securing his place among the notable genre painters of the American West during the late 19th century.

The painting has been lined, with areas of professional retouch visible under UV light.