Artwork
Samuel Goodwin, Sr.
Samuel Goodwin, Sr. is a watercolor painting by the Rococo painting artist John Hazlitt. It dates from 1802 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The use of ivory as a support suggests a delicate handling of the watercolor pigment to achieve fine detail and luminosity on the smooth, translucent surface.
Created in 1802 by John Hazlitt, the portrait of Samuel Goodwin, Sr. is executed in watercolor on an ivory support. This medium and substrate combination is characteristic of portrait miniatures from the early nineteenth century. The work measures 7 inches in height and 5.7 inches in width, indicating a small-scale, intimate format typical of the genre.
As a portrait classified within the American Wing collection, the piece depicts a male subject with the formal qualities expected of Hazlitt's portraiture during this period. The use of ivory as a support suggests a delicate handling of the watercolor pigment to achieve fine detail and luminosity on the smooth, translucent surface.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Samuel Goodwin, Sr. was created by the artist John Hazlitt in 1802. Executed as a watercolor on ivory, the work measures 7 inches in height and 5.7 inches in width. It is currently held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified under the American Wing.
The specific commission details and the chain of ownership prior to its acquisition by the museum are not recorded in the available documentation. The work remains attributed to Hazlitt based on the established creation date of 1802.
Overview
This miniature portrait, Samuel Goodwin, Sr., was created in 1802 by the English artist John Hazlitt. Executed with watercolor on ivory, the small-scale work presents a man in a conventional portrait format of the period. Hazlitt was known for his expertise in this intimate genre, which allowed for a highly detailed and personal depiction of the sitter.
Context
John Hazlitt was an English painter primarily recognized for his miniature portraits. His artistic practice aligned with the Rococo aesthetic, which valued intricate detail and a sophisticated presentation. Beyond his artistic output, Hazlitt was also the elder brother of the prominent essayist William Hazlitt, placing him within the broader artistic and intellectual discourse of early 19th-century England.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Hazlitt (13 May 1767 – 16 May 1837) was an English artist who specialised in miniature portrait painting.
