Artwork
James Alexander Ross Cuthbert
James Alexander Ross Cuthbert is an unspecified painting by the American Folk Art artist Edward Greene Malbone. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting is a portrait miniature created in 1799 by Edward Greene Malbone that depicts James Cuthbert, Jr.
The painting is a portrait miniature created in 1799 by Edward Greene Malbone that depicts James Cuthbert, Jr., a subject identified in the work's provenance. As a miniature, the piece functions as a compact likeness that conveys the sitter's appearance and, by extension, his social identity within early American portraiture. Its creation by a noted miniaturist and inclusion in the Cleveland Museum of Art collection underscore its historical significance as an artifact of 18th‑century portrait practice.
Technique & Style
The work is a portrait miniature painted in 1799 by American artist Edward Greene Malbone, portraying James Cuthbert, Jr. Executed in the traditional miniature format, the piece demonstrates fine brushwork and a restrained palette typical of early American portraiture. It is recorded in the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains part of the permanent collection. The painting’s small scale, delicate handling of pigment, and focus on facial detail reflect the formal conventions of miniature portraiture of the period. Its condition is documented as stable, with no noted alterations to the original support or surface.
History & Provenance
The portrait miniature of James Alexander Ross Cuthbert was painted by Edward Greene Malbone in 1799. The work entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is recorded under the accession number 1950.243. It depicts James Cuthbert, Jr. and is classified as a miniature painting within the museum's holdings.
Overview
Edward Greene Malbone's James Alexander Ross Cuthbert, painted in 1800, is a miniature portrait depicting its namesake, James Cuthbert, Jr. This work exemplifies Malbone's skill as a prominent American miniaturist of his era. The small-scale painting is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art, offering insight into early American portraiture and artistic trends.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Edward Greene Malbone (1777 – May 7, 1807) was an American painter, and the most sought-after miniaturist of his day.
