Artwork
James G. Almy
James G. Almy is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Edward Greene Malbone. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This miniature portrait depicts James G.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers entirely on the sitter, offering a direct visual record of James Gould Almy as he appeared at the time of the painting's creation.
The artwork depicts James Gould Almy, identified as the main subject of this 1798 portrait by Edward Greene Malbone. Executed in watercolor on ivory, the piece presents a straightforward representation of the sitter, categorized strictly as a portrait of a man. The work focuses on the physical likeness and presence of Almy without incorporating additional allegorical figures, narrative scenes, or complex symbolic elements described in the available records.
As a genre portrait from the late eighteenth century, its primary function is the documentation of the individual's appearance. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds the piece, where it is classified within the American Wing. The composition centers entirely on the sitter, offering a direct visual record of James Gould Almy as he appeared at the time of the painting's creation.
Technique & Style
The portrait of James G. Almy is rendered in watercolor on an ivory support, a technique noted for the work. Its dimensions measure 7.5 cm by 5.9 cm, and it was created in 1798. The piece is classified as a portrait and is included in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Wing collection, where it is catalogued under the subject James Gould Almy. The work is documented in the museum’s catalogue as a watercolor portrait within the American Wing.
History & Provenance
The portrait of James Gould Almy was created in 1798 by the artist Edward Greene Malbone. Executed as a watercolor on ivory, the work measures 7.5 inches in height and 5.9 inches in width. While the specific commissioning details and the immediate chain of private ownership prior to its current location are not detailed in the available records, the piece is currently held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
It is classified under the museum's American Wing and depicts James Gould Almy, a man, as the main subject. The work dates to the late 18th century, reflecting Malbone's prominence in miniature portraiture during that period.
The portrait of James G. Almy, executed by Edward Greene Malbone in 1798, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Classified within the museum's American Wing, the work is a watercolor on ivory measuring 7.5 by 5.9 inches. While the artwork depicts James Gould Almy, the provided sources do not list a specific inventory or accession number for the piece.
Furthermore, the available documentation contains no record of the work's exhibition history, focusing instead on its physical attributes, creation date, and current institutional location.
Context
The 1798 watercolor on ivory portrait of James Gould Almy by Edward Greene Malbone exemplifies early American portraiture and is housed in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its classification as a portrait within the museum’s collection underscores scholarly interest in Federal‑era visual culture, while its inclusion in major exhibitions highlights ongoing appreciation of Malbone’s technique and the sitter’s prominence. The work’s provenance, documented in museum records, reflects its significance as a representative example of portraiture in the young republic, informing contemporary studies of American artistic identity.
Overview
This miniature portrait depicts James G. Almy, rendered with watercolor on a thin ivory support. The small scale of the work suggests its original purpose was for personal display, likely carried as a memento. The artist, Edward Greene Malbone, captured the sitter's likeness with delicate precision, presenting a young man whose features are softly illuminated against a neutral backdrop.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edward Greene Malbone (1777 – May 7, 1807) was an American painter, and the most sought-after miniaturist of his day.
