1840
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Martin Luther Hurlbut is a 1840 unspecified by John Neagle, a American Folk Art work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This painting shows a man in a dark coat and crisp white shirt, his collar high and a pin glinting at his chest. His wavy hair is brushed back, and he gazes calmly, one hand resting on a red cloth. The background is plain and dark, keeping all focus on his face and shoulders. The artist used soft brushstrokes to blend light and shadow, especially on his neck and cheek. This creates a smooth, almost glowing effect on his skin. Look up sfumato to see how artists like this one used subtle shading.
John Neagle (November 4, 1796 – September 17, 1865) was a fashionable American painter, primarily of portraits, during the first half of the 19th century in Philadelphia.
See the richer artist page
