Artwork
Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor painting by the Biedermeier artist Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze. It dates from 1839 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
6 inches) further emphasize a private, intimate representation rather than a public monument.
The work titled Portrait of a Gentleman, painted by Emanuel Leutze in 1839, is a watercolor on ivory that belongs to the portrait genre within The American Wing collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Both the Wikidata entry and the museum’s classification identify the main subject as a man, confirming that the composition depicts a gentleman rather than a specific individual. As a portrait, the piece functions to record the sitter’s appearance while also signaling social status typical of 19th‑century portraiture, where the presentation of clothing and posture conveys refinement and respectability.
The watercolor medium and modest dimensions (7 × 5.6 inches) further emphasize a private, intimate representation rather than a public monument.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1839 by Emanuel Leutze, this portrait utilizes watercolor applied to an ivory support, a medium combination characteristic of miniature painting traditions. The work presents a formal depiction of a male subject, adhering to the conventions of the portrait genre. Physically, the piece is diminutive in scale, measuring approximately 7 units in height by 5.6 units in width.
While specific details regarding the artist's brushwork, the current state of preservation, or the precise handling of the pigment are not elaborated upon in the available records, the identification of ivory as the ground confirms the object's classification within the specific technical category of miniature portraiture rather than large-scale canvas or panel painting.
History & Provenance
The work is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, inventoried as 1975.136.14. It was first recorded in the museum’s collection in 1975. The painting has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of its American Wing holdings, which include Leutze’s portraiture and works on ivory.
Overview
Emanuel Leutze's Portrait of a Gentleman, created around 1839, is a small-scale watercolor on ivory. This intimate depiction presents an unidentified man, capturing his likeness with precision. The work contrasts with Leutze's more typical large-format historical paintings, showcasing his versatility in a delicate medium.
Artist & collection
Artist
Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze (May 24, 1816 – July 18, 1868) was a German-born American history painter, best known for his 1851 painting Washington Crossing the Delaware. He is associated with the Düsseldorf school of painting.
