Artwork
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait is a watercolor painting by the British Romanticist artist John Henry Brown. It dates from 1846 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1990.21.1
- Credit line
- Maria DeWitt Jesup Fund, 1990
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Executed in watercolor on ivory and dated 1846, the piece conveys a personal likeness that serves as both record and reflection of the artist's self‑image.
The work is a self‑portrait that shows the artist himself, John Henry Brown, as its sole subject. As a self‑portrait, it functions as a visual statement of the painter's identity and professional role, presenting Brown in a manner typical of portraiture while emphasizing his status as both sitter and creator. Executed in watercolor on ivory and dated 1846, the piece conveys a personal likeness that serves as both record and reflection of the artist's self‑image. Its inclusion in the Metropolitan Museum of Art situates it within the recognized canon of American portraiture.
Technique & Style
The Self-Portrait by John Henry Brown is executed in watercolor on an ivory support, a medium noted for its translucency and fine detail. The painting measures approximately 6.2 by 5.1 centimetres and was completed in 1846. It belongs to the portrait genre and depicts the artist himself in a straightforward composition typical of mid‑nineteenth‑century American self‑portraiture.
The work is preserved as a watercolor on fragile ivory, requiring careful handling to maintain its delicate surface.
History & Provenance
John Henry Brown's 1846 watercolor on ivory, titled Self-Portrait, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and is classified within The American Wing. The work depicts the artist and measures 6.2 cm in height and 5.1 cm in width. No earlier provenance or ownership details beyond the museum's current custodianship are documented in the available records, nor is a specific exhibition history recorded.
Overview
John Henry Brown's Self-Portrait, created around 1846, offers an intimate glimpse of the artist. This small-scale work, executed in watercolor on ivory, captures Brown's own likeness. It is a characteristic example of the miniature portraiture prevalent during the mid-19th century, a form often valued for its personal nature and portability. The piece is part of the museum's American Wing collection.
Context
Miniature portraits, like this self-depiction by John Henry Brown, held significant cultural importance in the United States during the 19th century. Predating widespread photography, these tiny artworks provided an accessible means of preserving likenesses. Often commissioned as sentimental objects, they were frequently enclosed in lockets or small cases, serving as cherished personal mementos for families and loved ones.
Artist & collection
