Artwork
Portrait of an Officer
Portrait of an Officer is an unspecified painting by the British Romanticist artist Andrew Dunn. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
No further documented owners or sales are noted in the available sources, indicating that the museum's acquisition represents the current ownership.
Portrait of an Officer is a painted portrait attributed to Andrew Dunn, produced in 1810 as recorded in contemporary documentation. Its dimensions are 67 cm by 55 cm. The piece entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it remains. No further documented owners or sales are noted in the available sources, indicating that the museum's acquisition represents the current ownership.
The available documentation does not record a specific accession number, nor does it indicate any prior exhibition history for the work.
Overview
Andrew Dunn's 1810 painting, titled 'Portrait of an Officer,' presents an unidentified military figure. This small, oval work is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The composition deliberately focuses on the officer's features and uniform, set against a subdued background, reflecting a common approach in early 19th-century portraiture for personal keepsakes.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features a man dressed in a dark military coat, accented by light shoulder epaulettes and brass buttons, with a white cravat neatly tied. His hair is short and carefully combed. The intimate scale and distinctive oval shape of the portrait suggest it was likely intended as a personal memento, possibly akin to a miniature, rather than a large-scale public display.
Technique & Style
Dunn utilized soft shading techniques to imbue the officer's face with a sense of three-dimensional form and depth. The artist employed a plain, dark background, which serves to direct the viewer's complete attention to the sitter's facial features and the specific details of his uniform. This method emphasizes the individual's presence and military standing through his attire.
Artist & collection
Artist
Andrew Dunn kept a studio above a London coffeehouse, where he sketched officers over breakfast buns between cups of tea.
