Artwork
Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Edward S. Dodge. It dates from 1842 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Edward S.
About this work
Technique & Style
It portrays a seated gentleman in a conventional pose typical of mid‑nineteenth‑century portraiture, emphasizing refined features and subtle tonal modeling.
The Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor executed on a thin ivory support, measuring roughly 6.8 cm in height by 5.6 cm in width. It portrays a seated gentleman in a conventional pose typical of mid‑nineteenth‑century portraiture, emphasizing refined features and subtle tonal modeling. The work is catalogued as a portrait within the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, reflecting its classification and curatorial context. Its formal qualities combine precise brushwork with a restrained palette.
History & Provenance
Created in 1840, this watercolor on ivory portrait depicts an unidentified gentleman and was executed by the artist Edward S. Dodge. The work, measuring approximately 6.8 by 5.6 units, is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art within its American Wing. While the specific circumstances of its commission and the identity of the sitter remain unrecorded in the available documentation, the piece is firmly attributed to Dodge based on its inception date and stylistic classification as a portrait.
No further details regarding its ownership history prior to entering the museum's holdings or specific exhibition records are provided in the current sources.
Portrait of a Gentleman by Edward S. Dodge is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified under The American Wing. The work, a watercolor on ivory dated 1840, is documented in the museum's records as part of its holdings. No specific accession number, acquisition date, or prior exhibition history is provided in the available documentation.
Overview
Edward S. Dodge created this Portrait of a Gentleman in 1842, utilizing the delicate medium of watercolor on ivory. This intimate work presents a male sitter, whose identity is not specified by the title, rendered with a direct gaze. The miniature format suggests it was intended for personal viewing, characteristic of portraits from this era.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of this portrait is a man dressed in formal attire, including a dark coat and a white cravat, typical of early 19th-century fashion. He engages the viewer directly with his gaze, conveying a sense of composure and presence. The straightforward presentation emphasizes the sitter's individual character rather than narrative elements.
Context
While oil on canvas was the predominant medium for portraiture during the mid-19th century, watercolor on ivory represented a more specialized and costly alternative. Its small size made it suitable for personal keepsakes, often enclosed in lockets or small frames. The choice of this delicate and expensive medium indicates a particular value placed on the sitter or the portrait itself, distinguishing it from larger, more common oil paintings.
Artist & collection
