Artwork
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man is an unspecified painting by Ferdinand Machéra. It dates from 1827 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds the work, which captures the man as the central and defining element of the image.
Created by Ferdinand Machéra in 1827, the work is a portrait depicting a single male figure. As a straightforward genre piece, the painting focuses entirely on the representation of this man without additional narrative elements or complex iconography identified in the available records. The subject serves as the sole focus of the composition, emphasising the individual's likeness rather than conveying specific symbolic meanings or allegorical messages.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds the work, which captures the man as the central and defining element of the image.
History & Provenance
Ferdinand Machéra created the portrait painting titled Portrait of a Man in 1827. The work depicts a male subject and is classified as a portrait. It measures 57 cm in height and 43 cm in width and resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, held as part of its permanent holdings.
No details regarding its commission, earlier ownership history, or specific acquisition date by the museum are provided in the available sources, and no inventory or accession number is recorded. There is likewise no documented exhibition history for the portrait.
Overview
Ferdinand Machéra's Portrait of a Man, painted in 1827, presents a formal depiction of an unidentified sitter. This small, oval painting, currently housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, captures a serious demeanor. Its compact size and direct presentation suggest it may have served as a personal keepsake, emphasizing the subject's presence through its focused composition.
Technique & Style
The artist employed a straightforward approach to render the sitter, utilizing simple shading to define the contours of his face and the folds of his dark coat. The plain, dark background ensures that attention remains entirely on the man's features. This directness contributes to the portrait's stiff and formal character, a common aesthetic in early 19th-century portraiture, aiming for a sense of dignified permanence.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ferdinand Machéra was a French painter associated with the Franche-Comté region of eastern France.
