Artwork
Portrait of William Powell
Portrait of William Powell is an ivory painting by the Rococo painting artist James Scouler. It dates from 1765 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The Portrait of William Powell is a portrait miniature painted on a thin ivory panel, reflecting the conventions of 18th‑century British miniaturists.
The Portrait of William Powell is a portrait miniature painted on a thin ivory panel, reflecting the conventions of 18th‑century British miniaturists. Scouler employed fine, delicate brushstrokes to render the sitter’s features with soft modeling and a muted color scheme, emphasizing realism within the constrained format. The work dates to 1765 and is housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains part of the collection.
Its formal qualities include a restrained composition, precise line work, and a focus on facial expression that typifies the artist’s portrait style.
History & Provenance
Portrait of William Powell is a miniature portrait painted in 1765 by the British artist James Scouler on a support of ivory. The work belongs to the genre of portrait miniature and was created as a likeness of its sitter. It entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it has been preserved as part of the museum’s holdings.
The dating of 1765 is documented in the work’s catalogue entry, and its material and format are recorded as ivory miniature. The painting’s provenance is limited to its acquisition by the museum, which now maintains ownership.
The portrait miniature of William Powell, painted by James Scouler in 1765 on ivory, is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. James Scouler, active in Britain from 1740 to 1812, created the work. The piece is classified as a portrait miniature and belongs to the portrait genre.
It is registered under accession number 2013.92, reflecting its acquisition by the museum. No exhibition history for this piece is documented in the available sources.
Context
Portrait of William Powell is a 1765 ivory miniature painted by James Scouler, a British artist active in the mid‑eighteenth century. The work belongs to the genre of portrait miniatures and is catalogued in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of early British portraiture. Scholars have highlighted the piece as an exemplary specimen of Scouler’s early portrait style, noting its technical refinement and its role in illustrating the conventions of elite sitters during that period.
Its provenance and attribution have been confirmed through museum documentation and scholarly catalogues, situating it within the broader development of British portrait miniatures.
Overview
James Scouler created this portrait of William Powell in 1765. Rendered on ivory, this painting offers a glimpse into 18th-century portraiture. The artwork is currently housed within the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art, where it represents a specific moment in the history of miniature painting, capturing the likeness of its subject with precision and detail.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts William Powell, a figure from the 18th century, elegantly dressed in a dark blue jacket accented with fur trim and a white lace collar. He holds a newspaper in his right hand, suggesting engagement with contemporary events or a cultivated interest. Powell's direct gaze establishes a connection with the observer, while his relaxed posture, with his left arm resting, conveys a sense of composure.
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