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 1834 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a portrait genre work, its primary meaning lies in the documentation and commemoration of the sitter's likeness.
The work depicts a single male subject, identified generically as a man within the context of a formal portrait. Created in 1834 by Anna Claypoole Peale, the piece focuses entirely on the representation of this individual without incorporating additional narrative figures or complex allegorical scenes. As a portrait genre work, its primary meaning lies in the documentation and commemoration of the sitter's likeness.
The source material does not provide specific details regarding the man's identity, nor does it describe any particular symbolic objects, iconographic attributes, or hidden meanings embedded within the composition. Consequently, the work functions principally as a straightforward visual record of the gentleman, emphasizing his physical appearance rather than conveying a broader symbolic message or representing a specific historical event.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1834, this portrait by Anna Claypoole Peale is a miniature painted in watercolor on an ivory support. The work measures approximately 7 by 5.7 units, consistent with the intimate scale typical of the genre. As a depiction of a gentleman, the piece utilizes the translucent qualities of watercolor over the smooth, luminous surface of the ivory to achieve a refined finish.
The classification within the American Wing highlights its significance as an example of early nineteenth-century American portraiture. The combination of these specific materials and the small format required precise handling and delicate brushwork to render the subject's features.
History & Provenance
The work titled Portrait of a Gentleman was created in 1834 by American miniaturist Anna Claypoole Peale, employing watercolor on ivory. Its dimensions measure approximately 7 cm by 5.7 cm, and it portrays a man, fitting the portrait genre. The painting entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 2006.235.117 and displayed within The American Wing.
Provenance is traced to its acquisition by the museum, with no earlier ownership records documented in the available sources. The piece remains part of the museum’s permanent holdings, reflecting its creation history and contemporary custodial ownership.
The watercolor on ivory titled Portrait of a Gentleman, executed by Anna Claypoole Peale in 1834, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Classified within the museum's American Wing, the work is cataloged under the accession number 2006.235.117. The piece depicts a male subject and measures approximately 7 by 5.7 units.
While the sources confirm its current institutional location and inventory details, they do not provide specific records regarding past exhibitions or a detailed provenance history prior to its accession.
Overview
Anna Claypoole Peale created Portrait of a Gentleman in 1834, utilizing watercolor on ivory. This intimate work exemplifies American folk art, presenting a formal depiction of an unidentified man. Peale was recognized for her skill in crafting miniature portraits and still lifes, contributing to the visual culture of her era through these detailed compositions.
Context
Anna Claypoole Peale was a prominent American painter, particularly noted for her expertise in miniature portraits and still lifes. Her artistic contributions extended beyond her individual works; alongside her sister, Sarah Miriam Peale, she achieved a significant milestone. They were among the first women to be elected as academicians to the prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, marking an important recognition of women artists in the early American art establishment.
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.
