Artwork
Pierre Van Cortlandt Jr.
Pierre Van Cortlandt Jr. is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Archibald Robertson. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Executed in 1795 by Archibald Robertson, this watercolor on ivory functions as a formal portrait depicting Pierre Van Cortlandt Jr.
Executed in 1795 by Archibald Robertson, this watercolor on ivory functions as a formal portrait depicting Pierre Van Cortlandt Jr. The work's primary subject is the man himself, identified specifically as the son of the prominent Van Cortlandt family. As a piece of portraiture from the late eighteenth century, the image serves to document the sitter's likeness and social standing through a direct representation of his person. The iconography is straightforward, focusing entirely on the individual without additional allegorical elements or complex symbolism noted in the available records.
Consequently, the artwork represents a straightforward visual record of Van Cortlandt Jr., intended to preserve his identity and status within the context of American portraiture of the era.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1795 by Archibald Robertson, this portrait of Pierre Van Cortlandt Jr. utilizes watercolor applied to an ivory support. The work is classified as a miniature, characterized by its small physical dimensions of approximately 4.9 by 3.5 units. As a piece housed within the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the object exemplifies the late eighteenth-century practice of creating intimate likenesses on ivory, a medium prized for its luminous quality which allowed watercolors to achieve a distinctive glow.
The composition focuses strictly on the bust of the male subject, adhering to the conventional framing of portraiture from this period.
History & Provenance
The watercolor portrait of Pierre Van Cortlandt Jr., painted by Archibald Robertson in 1795, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work is classified under the museum's American Wing. While the sources confirm the artwork's location and institutional ownership, they do not provide a specific accession or inventory number, nor do they list any past or current exhibitions where the piece has been displayed.
Overview
This miniature portrait depicts Pierre Van Cortlandt Jr., rendered in watercolor on ivory. The small scale of the work suggests its intimate purpose, contrasting with larger, more formal portraiture of the era. It offers a glimpse into the personal representation favored during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, often held or worn as a cherished personal item.
Context
Miniature portraits like this one served as significant personal artifacts in early America, frequently worn as jewelry or carried as keepsakes, much like photographs today. The artist, Robertson, was known for portraying numerous prominent figures of the period, including many early American leaders. This particular work, however, conveys a sense of individual intimacy rather than official formality.
Artist & collection
Artist
Archibald Robertson (May 8, 1765 – December 6, 1835) was a Scottish born painter who operated the Columbian Academy of Painting in New York with his brother Alexander.
