Artwork
Portrait of a Man, Said to Be James Madison (1751–1836)
Portrait of a Man, Said to Be James Madison (1751–1836) is an unspecified painting by the American Impressionist artist Annibal Christian Loutherbourg. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
The miniature portrait of a man identified as James Madison is dated to 1795 and attributed to Annibal Christian Loutherbourg based on internal records.
The miniature portrait of a man identified as James Madison is dated to 1795 and attributed to Annibal Christian Loutherbourg based on internal records. It was created in 1795, aligning with the artist’s known activity in portrait miniatures during the mid-1790s. The work entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains located, though no documented commission or early ownership history prior to its museum accession is provided in available sources.
The painting, titled Portrait of a Man, Said to Be James Madison, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created by Annibal Christian Loutherbourg in 1795, the work is classified as a miniature portrait. While the specific inventory or accession number is not provided in the available records, the museum's location and the artwork's inclusion in its permanent holdings are documented.
The piece depicts a man identified as James Madison, aligning with the artist's output from the mid-1790s. No specific exhibition history dates or titles are recorded in the provided sources, limiting the historical narrative to its current institutional custody and creation date.
Context
Painted in 1795, this work is a portrait by Annibal Christian Loutherbourg that represents James Madison, who later became the fourth President of the United States. The painting is categorized as a portrait and is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, reflecting the museum's holdings of early transatlantic portraiture. Its creation coincides with a period when European artists were increasingly depicting prominent American figures, underscoring the cultural exchange between the United States and Europe in the late eighteenth century.
Overview
This painted portrait, created by Annibal Christian Loutherbourg in 1798, depicts a man believed to be James Madison (1751–1836). The artwork is rendered in an oval format, focusing on the sitter's head and shoulders. It is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The painting offers a direct gaze from the subject, characteristic of formal portraiture of the late 18th century.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents a man in his forties, identified by tradition as James Madison, a prominent American statesman. He is shown with a serious yet composed expression, directly engaging the viewer. His attire includes a dark coat over a white shirt, adorned with a star-shaped pin, suggesting a figure of some distinction. His hair is styled in the powdered fashion common to the era, pulled back from his face.
Technique & Style
Loutherbourg's portrait employs a straightforward composition, positioning the sitter against a plain, dark background that allows the figure to stand out prominently. The oval format of the canvas directs attention to the subject's face and upper body. The artist captures a calm demeanor, with the subject's features rendered with a sense of sobriety. The painting is presented within an aged, tarnished metal frame, which contributes to its historical presentation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Annibal Christian Loutherbourg
Annibal Christian Loutherbourg (1765–1807) was an artist, born in Paris.
