Artwork
Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor painting by the Rococo painting artist Edward Miles. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Portrait of a Gentleman depicts an unidentified male sitter presented as a gentleman, rendered in watercolor on ivory.
Portrait of a Gentleman depicts an unidentified male sitter presented as a gentleman, rendered in watercolor on ivory. The work is classified as a portrait within the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, indicating its function as a likeness intended to record the individual's appearance and status. No specific iconographic attributes or symbolic elements are described in the available sources; the painting's meaning rests primarily in its representation of a man as a portrait of a gentleman from circa 1790.
Technique & Style
The miniature is executed in watercolor on ivory, a technique associated with late-eighteenth-century British portrait practice. The support's translucent quality allows subtle layering of washes to model the sitter's features, while fine hatching and stippling articulate textures such as the lace cravat and coat. The small scale (6.2 × 5.2 cm) demands refined handling, evident in the delicate gradations of the face and the crisp definition of the ruffled collar.
Stylistically, the work aligns with neoclassical portrait conventions: restrained palette, linear clarity, and an emphasis on the sitter's dignified reserve. The ivory's inherent sheen contributes to the luminous finish typical of the period.
History & Provenance
The Portrait of a Gentleman, a watercolor on ivory measuring 6.2 by 5.2 centimeters, was created in 1790. While initially attributed to the American artist Edward Miles, the work is now described as formerly attributed to him. The piece is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within The American Wing.
No specific details regarding the original commission, the identity of the patron, or the precise chain of ownership prior to its acquisition by the museum are provided in the available records. The work depicts a male subject and remains an example of late 18th-century American portraiture, despite the uncertainty surrounding its definitive authorship.
Overview
Created in 1790 by the English miniature painter Edward Miles, Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor on ivory. This small-scale work, characteristic of the Rococo aesthetic, depicts an unidentified male sitter. Miles, originally from Yarmouth, was known for his detailed portrait miniatures, which were popular during the late 18th century for their intimate scale and refined execution.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edward Miles (14 October 1752 – 7 March 1828) was an English miniature painter from Yarmouth.
