Artwork
David Sears, Jr.
David Sears, Jr. is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Gilbert Stuart. It dates from 1815 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 81.12
- Credit line
- Gift of Several Gentleman, 1881
About this work
Technique & Style
The work is classified as a portrait and was created by Gilbert Stuart in 1815, reflecting the conventions of American studio practice of the period.
The portrait of David Sears, Jr. is executed in oil on canvas, a support commonly used for portraiture in the early nineteenth century. The painting records the sitter's appearance with a realistic likeness, rendered through the application of oil paint on a primed canvas stretched over a wooden support. Its dimensions, documented as 69.2 × 59.7 cm, are consistent with a bust-length portrait.
The work is classified as a portrait and was created by Gilbert Stuart in 1815, reflecting the conventions of American studio practice of the period.
History & Provenance
Gilbert Stuart painted the portrait of David Sears, Jr. in 1815. The work, executed in oil on canvas and measuring 69.2 × 59.7 cm, depicts its subject, David Sears. It has since entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within The American Wing.
The available sources confirm the painting's current location and physical dimensions but do not record an accession number, acquisition date, or documented exhibition history for the piece.
Overview
This oil on canvas depicts David Sears, Jr., a prominent figure of his era, seated in a formal pose. Created by the renowned American portraitist Gilbert Stuart, the painting offers a direct visual record of its subject. Stuart's approach emphasizes the individual's presence, capturing Sears's likeness with a focus on his facial features and attire. The work serves as a representative example of early American portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure of this portrait is David Sears, Jr., whose identity is clearly conveyed through the artist's meticulous rendering. Dressed in the fashion of his time, Sears is presented in a manner typical of formal portraiture, designed to immortalize his appearance for posterity. The painting's primary purpose was to document the subject's physical characteristics, offering viewers a tangible impression of his presence and social standing.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gilbert Stuart (né Stewart; December 3, 1755 – July 9, 1828) was an American painter born in the Rhode Island Colony who is widely considered one of America's foremost portraitists.
