Artwork
Henry Inman
Henry Inman is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist Jacob Hart Lazarus. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 93.19.1
- Credit line
- Gift of Mrs. Jacob H. Lazarus, 1893
About this work
Technique & Style
As a formal portrait, the painting depicts the sitter as a man, utilizing the oil medium to capture his likeness within a standard rectangular format.
Jacob Hart Lazarus's 1838 portrait of Henry Inman is executed in oil paint on a canvas support. The work measures 27 cm in height and 21.9 cm in width. As a formal portrait, the painting depicts the sitter as a man, utilizing the oil medium to capture his likeness within a standard rectangular format.
The piece is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within the American Wing. The visual presentation focuses on the subject's representation through the traditional application of oil on canvas, characteristic of portraiture from this period.
History & Provenance
Jacob Hart Lazarus painted the portrait titled “Henry Inman” in 1838 using oil on canvas. The work depicts the sitter identified as Henry Inman and belongs to the portrait genre. It entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is housed in The American Wing in New York. The painting measures 27 × 21.9 cm. No additional ownership or commission details are documented.
Legacy
The portrait of Henry Inman by Jacob Hart Lazarus, painted in 1838, is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and is displayed in The American Wing, reflecting its place within American portraiture. Its inclusion in a major museum’s permanent holdings underscores its historical relevance, and the work continues to be referenced in studies of 19th‑century American art and the development of portrait painting in the United States.
Overview
This oil on canvas depicts Henry Inman, a notable American painter. Created by an artist named Lazarus, likely when he was around twenty years old, the work captures Inman with a direct gaze. His dark coat and crisp collar are rendered with precision, and soft light illuminates his features from the side. The painting is part of The American Wing, reflecting its significance within early American art.
Subject & Meaning
Henry Inman, the subject of this portrait, was an influential figure in early American art. He played a significant role in introducing European portraiture conventions to the nascent American art scene. His work helped shape the visual culture of the period, bridging transatlantic artistic traditions. This depiction offers a glimpse into the artistic community of the time, highlighting a key practitioner.
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