Artwork
Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor painting by the Rococo painting artist Ezra Ames. It dates from 1788 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2006.235.62
- Credit line
- Fletcher Fund, 2006
About this work
Technique & Style
Executed in 1785 by Ezra Ames, this portrait is a miniature rendered in watercolor on an ivory support.
Executed in 1785 by Ezra Ames, this portrait is a miniature rendered in watercolor on an ivory support. The work measures 3.2 by 2.3 units, indicating a small-scale format typical of the genre. As a depiction of a gentleman, the piece utilizes the translucent qualities of watercolor over the smooth, luminous surface of ivory to achieve the delicate modeling characteristic of late eighteenth-century portraiture.
The classification within the American Wing underscores its significance as an example of early American miniature painting, where the choice of ivory allowed for fine detail and a glowing flesh tone distinct from oil on canvas or paper counterparts.
History & Provenance
The Portrait of a Gentleman was created by the American artist Ezra Ames in 1785. Executed in watercolor on ivory, the work measures 3.2 inches in height and 2.3 inches in width. While the specific commissioning patron and the detailed chain of ownership prior to its current location are not documented in the available records, the painting is currently held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
It resides in the museum's American Wing, where it is classified as a portrait depicting a man. The work's inception is firmly dated to 1785, establishing its place within the early period of Ames's career and American portraiture history.
The watercolor on ivory titled Portrait of a Gentleman, created by Ezra Ames in 1785, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Within the institution, the work is classified under the American Wing. The piece depicts a male subject and measures approximately 3.2 by 2.3 units.
While the sources confirm the artwork's current location and institutional classification, they do not provide a specific inventory or accession number, nor do they list any past or current exhibitions where the portrait has been displayed.
Legacy
Portrait of a Gentleman, painted by Ezra Ames in 1785, is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Wing and is cited as a representative example of early American portraiture. Its inclusion in the museum’s collection has contributed to scholarly discussions of the development of portrait conventions in the United States, positioning the work as a reference point for later portraitists seeking to emulate its compositional balance and characterization of subject. The painting’s enduring presence in a major public institution underscores its role in shaping the narrative of American artistic heritage.
Overview
Ezra Ames's Portrait of a Gentleman, created around 1788, is a watercolor on ivory that reflects the Rococo style prevalent in late 18th-century portraiture. Ames, a prolific artist based in Albany, New York, was known for his numerous likenesses. This work offers insight into his early career and the artistic trends of the period, forming part of the American Wing's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, an unidentified gentleman, is depicted in period attire with a calm and serious demeanor. His features are rendered in detail, set against a plain background that directs the viewer's attention to his countenance. This compositional simplicity enhances the portrait's intimate quality, inviting a close observation of the individual's presence and character.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ezra Ames (May 5, 1768 – February 23, 1836) was a popular portrait painter in Albany, New York, during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. More than 700 portraits have been attributed to him.
