Artwork
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait is a watercolor painting by the British Romanticist artist George Harvey. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2006.235.81
- Credit line
- Dale T. Johnson Fund, 2006
About this work
Technique & Style
The palette is restrained, relying on muted earth tones and restrained modeling to convey three-dimensionality under the small scale.
Executed in 1830, the miniature is painted in watercolor on a thin ivory support, measuring 5 × 6 cm. The handling combines fine stippling with delicate glazes to articulate facial features and costume details, characteristic of early-19th-century American miniature technique. The palette is restrained, relying on muted earth tones and restrained modeling to convey three-dimensionality under the small scale. Stylistically, the work adheres to the neoclassical portrait conventions of the period, emphasizing linear clarity and restrained emotion in the sitter’s direct gaze and composed posture.
History & Provenance
The self-portrait by George Harvey was created in 1830. Executed as a watercolor on ivory, the work measures 6 inches in height and 5 inches in width. It depicts the artist himself and is classified within the genre of portraiture.
The piece is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, specifically within The American Wing. While the specific commission details and the full chain of ownership prior to its current location are not detailed in the available records, the work's inception is firmly dated to the year 1830. The artwork remains a significant example of the artist's self-representation from that period.
The work is held by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is catalogued with the accession number 1975.1.1077. It has been exhibited at the Museum as part of its holdings in The American Wing, which houses portrait miniatures on ivory.
Legacy
The Self-Portrait by George Harvey, painted in 1830, is classified as a portrait and is part of The American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its inclusion in a major American art collection has cemented its role in scholarly narratives of early American portraiture and has reinforced Harvey’s reputation as a pioneering self‑portraitist. The work’s presence in the museum’s permanent display underscores its lasting significance within the canon of 19th‑century American art.
Overview
This watercolor on ivory is a self-portrait by the artist, depicting himself with a paintbrush. Its diminutive scale, roughly equivalent to a playing card, is characteristic of miniature painting. The artwork resides in The American Wing, reflecting its historical context within American art. The artist gazes directly forward, his features gently illuminated.
Subject & Meaning
In this self-portrait, the artist presents himself in a dark coat, his face softly illuminated as he looks directly at the viewer. He holds a paintbrush, a clear indication of his profession and identity as an artist. This direct gaze and inclusion of his tools offer a personal insight into his self-perception and role within the artistic community of his time.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir George Frederick Harvey (1 February 1806 – 22 January 1876) was a Scottish painter and President of the Royal Scottish Academy.
