Artwork
Mrs. Jean Pierre Barre
Mrs. Jean Pierre Barre is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Charles Fraser. It dates from 1828 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The classification of the work as a portrait underscores its intent to capture and preserve the image of Mrs.
The work is a portrait depicting a woman, identified by its title as Mrs. Jean Pierre Barre. Created in 1827 by the artist Charles Fraser, the piece functions as a formal representation of the sitter, adhering to the conventions of early 19th-century portraiture. While the specific iconography or symbolic elements embedded within the composition are not detailed in the available records, the primary meaning of the artwork lies in its role as a likeness of this individual woman.
The classification of the work as a portrait underscores its intent to capture and preserve the image of Mrs. Barre, serving as a visual document of her appearance during that period.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in watercolor on an ivory support, measuring approximately 9.7 cm by 7.9 cm and dated to 1827. It belongs to the portrait genre and portrays a woman, reflecting the sitter’s status as Mrs. Jean Pierre Barre. As a piece in The American Wing, the painting exemplifies early American portraiture, combining delicate washes with fine linear detail typical of the period.
The formal composition emphasizes a straightforward head‑and‑shoulders format, while the use of ivory as a support was common for portrait miniatures of the era, contributing to the work’s luminous surface quality.
History & Provenance
Mrs. Jean Pierre Barre is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within The American Wing. The work, a watercolor on ivory by Charles Fraser dated 1827, is catalogued as part of the museum's holdings, though a specific accession number is not recorded in the available documentation. No exhibition history is documented in the provided sources.
Overview
Charles Fraser's 1828 watercolor portrait, "Mrs. Jean Pierre Barre," captures the likeness of a woman. Executed on a small ivory support, this work exemplifies the intimate scale characteristic of miniatures from the period. It is housed within the American Wing, reflecting its historical and cultural significance as a personal artwork from the era.
Context
During the early 19th century, miniature portraits served as highly personal mementos, often carried by individuals as a tangible representation of loved ones. These small-scale artworks functioned similarly to modern photographs, offering a portable and cherished image before the advent of widespread photography. They provided an intimate connection to the sitter, often worn or kept close.
Artist & collection
