Artwork
Jubal Anderson Early
Jubal Anderson Early is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist George Lethbridge Saunders. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The watercolor miniature depicts Jubal Anderson Early, a young man rendered in the conventions of mid-19th-century American portraiture.
The watercolor miniature depicts Jubal Anderson Early, a young man rendered in the conventions of mid-19th-century American portraiture. As a portrait on ivory, the work belongs to a genre associated with intimacy, personal commemoration, and social status. The miniature format itself carries symbolic weight: such small-scale portraits were typically exchanged as tokens of affection or kept as mementos, suggesting the subject's importance to a patron or family member.
The straightforward depiction of Early as a gentleman, before his later prominence as a Confederate general, positions the work as a document of youthful respectability rather than military legacy. The portrait's meaning resides in its function as personal keepsake, capturing an individual at a specific moment in life through the refined, delicate medium of watercolor on ivory.
Technique & Style
The work titled Jubal Anderson Early is executed in watercolor on an ivory support. Created in 1848, the painting measures approximately 10 cm by 7.6 cm, reflecting the modest scale typical of early American portrait miniatures. Its composition centers a seated male sitter rendered with delicate tonal modeling and a restrained palette that emphasizes the facial features over a decorative background. The ivory ground provides a smooth, luminous surface that enhances the subtle gradations of pigment.
History & Provenance
Painted in 1848 by George Lethbridge Saunders, this watercolor-on-ivory miniature portrait depicts Jubal Anderson Early before his later prominence as a Confederate general. The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within The American Wing and cataloged with dimensions of 10 cm in height and 7.6 cm in width. Specific details regarding its commission, original patron, and ownership chain prior to museum acquisition are not provided in the available sources, which also do not record a specific accession number or exhibition history.
Overview
George Lethbridge Saunders created this watercolor portrait of Jubal Anderson Early in 1848. Executed on a small ivory support, the work captures its subject in a dark military coat and hat, gazing directly forward. This miniature format was common for personal keepsakes during the 19th century, allowing for portability and intimate viewing.
Context
During the 1800s, miniature portraits held significance as portable personal items. Before widespread photography, these small artworks offered a way to carry or display images of loved ones or notable figures. Their intimate size fostered a direct connection between the viewer and the depicted individual, making them cherished possessions.
Artist & collection
Artist
George Lethbridge Saunders (1807–1863) was an artist, born in Bristol.
