Artwork
Richard Abell
Richard Abell is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Christian Friedrich Zincke. It dates from 1724 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and is housed in that institution in New York.
The portrait of Richard Abell was created in 1724 by the artist Christian Friedrich Zincke. Classified as a painting, the work depicts its subject in the portrait genre. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is also located.
While the specific commission details and the full chain of ownership prior to its arrival at the museum are not detailed in the available records, the work's inception is firmly dated to the beginning of 1724.
Richard Abell is a portrait painting by Christian Friedrich Zincke, created in 1724. The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and is housed in that institution in New York. Its accession or inventory number is not specified in the available documentation.
Exhibition records for the piece are not detailed in the provided sources, indicating that no public exhibition history has been documented for this artwork to date.
Overview
This miniature portrait, created by the German painter Christian Friedrich Zincke in 1724, depicts Richard Abell. Executed during the Rococo period, the work showcases the artist's skill in capturing individual likeness within a small format. The sitter, a man with curly blonde hair and a composed expression, is presented in formal attire, reflecting the fashion of early 18th-century England. It is currently held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Technique & Style
Zincke specialized in miniature painting, a demanding art form requiring precision and fine detail. This particular work exemplifies the Rococo aesthetic through its delicate rendering and the elaborate presentation. The portrait is encased within a circular frame densely set with numerous small, clear gemstones.
These jewels are designed to reflect light, imparting a subtle luminosity to the depicted face and enhancing the overall preciousness of the object.
Subject & Meaning
Richard Abell is portrayed with a round face, curly blonde hair, and a calm, direct gaze. He wears a blue coat over a white lace collar, an ensemble indicative of the refined fashion prevalent in the 1700s. Such formal attire, combined with the luxurious, gem-encrusted frame, suggests the sitter's social standing and the value placed upon his likeness during the period.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Christian Friedrich Zincke (c.1683–5 – 24 March 1767) was a German miniature painter active in England in the 18th century.
- Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford
Portrait of an unknown man
Portrait of a Man
Unknown man, called Francis Dayrell, lord Ashley
Portrait of John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough
Portrait of Friedrich I van Pruisen (1657-1713)
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
Porträtt av man i allongeperuk med röd mantel
Portrait of a Man