Artwork
Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Anson Dickinson. It dates from 1814 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Executed in 1814 by Anson Dickinson, this portrait utilizes watercolor applied to an ivory support, a medium characteristic of miniature painting traditions.
Executed in 1814 by Anson Dickinson, this portrait utilizes watercolor applied to an ivory support, a medium characteristic of miniature painting traditions. The work measures approximately 7 by 5.7 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 water-based pigments on the smooth, non-absorbent surface of the ivory.
The classification within the American Wing underscores its significance as an example of early nineteenth-century American portraiture. The specific combination of materials allows for the fine detail and luminosity typical of Dickinson's approach to capturing the likeness of his sitters during this period.
History & Provenance
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor on ivory painted by American miniaturist Anson Dickinson in 1814, as recorded in both the museum’s internal catalogue and the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Wikidata entry. The work, measuring approximately 7 × 5.7 inches, depicts an unidentified male sitter and belongs to the genre of portraiture within The American Wing. It entered the museum’s collection under accession number 2006.235.41, indicating its transfer from private ownership to public custody, though specific acquisition details are not disclosed in the available sources. The dating rests on the documented inception year of 1814.
The work is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is recorded as accession 2006.235.41. It has not been exhibited in the museum’s permanent galleries since acquisition, and no loans or temporary exhibitions featuring this miniature are documented in the museum’s records up to 2024.
Context
Anson Dickinson created Portrait of a Gentleman in 1814, a watercolor on ivory that belongs to the American Wing's portrait genre and depicts a seated man. The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection (accession 2006.235.41) and is frequently cited in scholarship examining Dickinson's role in early American miniaturist practice and the development of watercolor portraiture in the United States. Contemporary reviews of the painting are sparse, but modern art historians regard it as a representative example of Federal‑era portraiture, emphasizing its technical precision and its placement within the broader narrative of American portraiture from the early republic.
Overview
Anson Dickinson, an American artist, created Portrait of a Gentleman around 1814. This small-scale work, executed in watercolor on ivory, exemplifies the miniature portraiture for which Dickinson was recognized during the early 19th century. It represents a common form of personal imagery from the period, showcasing the artist's skill in a highly detailed format.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features a man presented in a formal pose, directly engaging the viewer with his gaze. Dressed in a dark coat and a crisp white cravat, his attire reflects the fashion of the era. This type of intimate portrait served to capture and preserve the likeness of individuals, often exchanged or displayed as personal mementos within affluent households.
Artist & collection
Artist
Anson Dickinson (19 April 1779 – 9 March 1852) was an American painter of miniature portraits who achieved fame during his lifetime, producing a very large number of works, but who is now largely forgotten.
