Artwork
William Young
William Young is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist James Peale. It dates from 1807 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a miniature intended for personal viewing, the piece represents a record of Young's appearance and social standing during the early nineteenth century.
Executed in 1807 by James Peale, this watercolor on ivory functions as a formal portrait depicting William Young. The work's iconography is defined by its genre conventions, focusing exclusively on the likeness of the male subject rather than incorporating allegorical figures or complex symbolic attributes. As a miniature intended for personal viewing, the piece represents a record of Young's appearance and social standing during the early nineteenth century.
The composition centers entirely on the sitter, utilizing the intimate scale of the ivory support to capture facial features with precision. While the artwork serves as a historical document of the individual, the available records do not specify additional narrative elements or hidden meanings beyond the direct representation of the man himself.
Technique & Style
Created in 1807 by James Peale, this portrait of William Young is executed as a miniature using watercolor applied to an ivory support. The work's physical dimensions are modest, measuring approximately 7.1 centimeters in height and 5.8 centimeters in width, which is characteristic of the intimate scale required for ivory miniatures intended for personal display. The classification of the piece within the American Wing highlights its significance as an example of early American portraiture.
While specific details regarding the artist's brushwork or the object's current preservation state are not explicitly detailed in the available records, the choice of watercolor on ivory defines the medium's inherent luminosity and delicate handling requirements typical of the genre during this period.
History & Provenance
The portrait of William Young by James Peale, created in 1807, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Classified within The American Wing, the work is a watercolor on ivory measuring 7.1 by 5.8 inches. While the museum's collection data confirms its location and physical dimensions, the provided sources do not list a specific inventory or accession number for this piece.
Furthermore, the available documentation offers no details regarding the artwork's exhibition history or past displays at other institutions.
Overview
This watercolor portrait on ivory depicts a man identified as William Young. Rendered on a small scale, the artwork captures a subject with a serene expression, presented in unadorned attire. The artist's meticulous attention to detail is evident, particularly in the rendering of the sitter's features, which become the central point of focus against a minimalist backdrop. This piece is part of The American Wing collection.
Context
This portrait aligns with artistic practices seen in the work of contemporaries such as James Peale, who also specialized in miniature portraits and employed similar techniques. The use of watercolor on ivory was a popular method for capturing likenesses during this period, offering an intimate and portable form of portraiture. Such works often served as personal mementos or tokens of affection, reflecting broader trends in American art.
Artist & collection
Artist
James Peale (1749 – May 24, 1831) was an American painter, best known for his miniature and still life paintings, and a younger brother of noted painter Charles Willson Peale.
