Artwork
Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Anna Claypoole Peale. It dates from 1832 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work functions primarily as a straightforward likeness, capturing the sitter's physical presence on a small scale measuring 6.
Anna Claypoole Peale's 1832 watercolor on ivory, titled Portrait of a Gentleman, depicts an unidentified man. As a portrait genre work, the piece focuses exclusively on the representation of a male subject without incorporating additional symbolic elements, allegorical figures, or specific iconographic attributes that would clarify his identity or social standing. The work functions primarily as a straightforward likeness, capturing the sitter's physical presence on a small scale measuring 6.7 by 5.2 inches.
Held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art within the American Wing, the artwork represents the tradition of miniature portraiture popular in early 19th-century America, serving as a personal commemoration of the individual rather than a narrative or symbolic statement.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1832 by Anna Claypoole Peale, this portrait utilizes watercolor applied to an ivory support, a medium characteristic of miniature painting traditions. The work measures approximately 6.7 by 5.2 units, indicating a small-scale format intended for intimate viewing. As a portrait of a gentleman, the piece focuses on the depiction of a male subject through the delicate handling of translucent pigments on the smooth, non-absorbent surface of the ivory.
The classification within the American Wing highlights its significance in early nineteenth-century American art. While specific details regarding the current physical condition or conservation history are not provided in the available records, the choice of materials reflects the technical precision required for such diminutive works, where the luminosity of the ivory ground enhances the vitality of the watercolor layers.
History & Provenance
Created in 1832, this watercolor on ivory portrait of a gentleman was executed by the American artist Anna Claypoole Peale. The work measures approximately 6.7 by 5.2 units. While specific details regarding the original commission or the identity of the sitter are not provided in the available records, the piece has been established as part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
It is classified within the museum's American Wing, where it remains housed as an example of early nineteenth-century portraiture. The date of inception is recorded as January 1, 1832.
Overview
Anna Claypoole Peale's Portrait of a Gentleman, created in 1832, is a small-scale watercolor on ivory. This work exemplifies her skill in crafting miniature portraits, a popular art form of the era. The painting depicts a man in a dark coat, his gaze directed forward, rendered with soft illumination.
Its diminutive size, comparable to a modern mobile phone, allowed such pieces to be easily carried and cherished.
Context
Anna Claypoole Peale emerged from a prominent Philadelphia family of artists, which included her sister Sarah Miriam Peale. Her career developed during a period often associated with the American folk art movement, where portrait miniatures held significant cultural value. Peale's professional standing was recognized through her election as one of the first women academicians at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, highlighting her notable artistic contributions.
Artist & collection
Artist
Anna Claypoole Peale (March 6, 1791 – December 25, 1878) was an American painter who specialized in portrait miniatures on ivory and still lifes.
