Artwork
Gilbert Van Cortlandt
Gilbert Van Cortlandt is a watercolor painting by the Rococo painting artist John Ramage. It dates from 1785 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
The fine details, like the faint stubble on his chin, show how carefully Ramage worked, even on such a small scale.
A man in a dark coat looks straight at you, his white cravat bright against his face. The painting is tiny, smaller than a playing card, painted on ivory with watercolor.
This is Gilbert Van Cortlandt, a New York merchant painted in 1785. Miniatures like this were often worn as jewelry or carried in lockets. The fine details, like the faint stubble on his chin, show how carefully Ramage worked, even on such a small scale.
If you like this, look up the technique: watercolor, glazing.
Technique & Style
John Ramage painted Gilbert Van Cortlandt in 1785 using watercolor on ivory, a medium characteristic of late-eighteenth-century miniature portraiture. The work measures 4.5 by 3.5 inches, dimensions typical of intimate portrait miniatures designed for personal keepsake or locket display. Watercolor on ivory allowed for exceptionally fine detail and luminous color effects, exploiting the smooth, non-absorbent surface of thin ivory supports.
As a portrait in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the work exemplifies Ramage's refined handling and the delicate, precise brushwork that distinguished his miniatures of prominent American sitters during the Federal period.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Gilbert Van Cortlandt was created in 1785 by the artist John Ramage. Executed as a watercolor on ivory, the work measures 4.5 by 3.5 inches in height and width respectively. While the specific commission details and initial ownership chain are not detailed in the available records, the piece is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The artwork is classified within the museum's American Wing and depicts a male subject in the portrait genre. The creation date is firmly established as 1785, marking the inception of this miniature portrait.
The work Gilbert Van Cortlandt, a 1785 watercolor on ivory portrait by John Ramage, is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is included in The American Wing’s collection. The painting, classified as a portrait, has been displayed within the museum’s American portrait galleries, allowing public view of the piece as part of the wing’s permanent presentation. Its provenance is documented through the museum’s cataloguing, which records the work’s creation date, medium, and current location.
Overview
This miniature portrait, created by Irish-born American artist John Ramage around 1785, depicts New York merchant Gilbert Van Cortlandt. Executed with watercolor on a small ivory support, the work exemplifies the delicate artistry of the period. Its diminutive size, typically smaller than a playing card, reflects a common format for personal keepsakes and intimate display during the late 18th century.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of this intimate portrait is Gilbert Van Cortlandt, a merchant from New York. Ramage captures him in a formal pose, his gaze directed outward, emphasizing his presence despite the work's small scale. Such miniatures were highly personal objects, often intended to be worn as jewelry or kept within lockets, allowing individuals to carry images of loved ones or significant figures close to them.
Context
Miniature portraits like this one served as significant personal artifacts in the eighteenth century. Beyond his artistic practice, John Ramage was also engaged as a goldsmith and a military officer, illustrating the varied roles artists sometimes held. He gained recognition for his miniature works and notably became the first artist to paint George Washington after his presidential term, underscoring his prominence in American portraiture.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Ramage (1748 – 24 October 1802) was an Irish American artist, goldsmith, patroller, and second lieutenant.
