Artwork
Portrait of an Officer
Portrait of an Officer is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist John I Smart. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Portrait of an Officer is executed in watercolor on ivory, a support characteristic of late eighteenth-century British portrait miniatures.
Portrait of an Officer is executed in watercolor on ivory, a support characteristic of late eighteenth-century British portrait miniatures. The work measures 6.4 cm in height by 5.4 cm in width and is classified as a painting within the portrait genre. Produced in England in 1798, the miniature employs the small-scale, finely handled watercolor technique associated with John Smart's practice, in which translucent pigment is built up in delicate layers over the smooth ivory ground to achieve precise modeling of the sitter's features.
The compact format and refined handling are consistent with the conventions of the portrait miniature tradition during this period.
History & Provenance
Created in 1798 by the British artist John Smart (1741–1811), this portrait miniature was produced in England. The work, executed in watercolor on ivory, depicts an unidentified male subject often referred to as an officer. While specific details regarding the original commission or early ownership history are not provided in the available records, the piece entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under the accession number 1942.1157.
The physical dimensions of the ivory support are recorded as 6.4 cm in height and 5.4 cm in width.
Legacy
Portrait of an Officer (1798) by John Smart is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, where it is cited as a representative example of late 18th-century British portrait miniatures. Its creation on ivory with watercolor pigments and its classification as a painting underscore its technical significance within the portrait miniature tradition of the Georgian era.
Overview
Painted in 1798 by the English artist John Smart, Portrait of an Officer is a miniature rendered on ivory. This small-scale work depicts an unidentified military figure, characterized by a serious demeanor and formal attire. The piece is held in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art and is categorized within the realm of American folk art, reflecting its historical context and artistic style.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents an older gentleman with white hair, clad in a red military jacket adorned with gold epaulets and black lapels, complemented by a white shirt and cravat. His expression is solemn, with eyes cast downwards and furrowed brows, conveying a sense of quiet dignity and authority. The artist's portrayal emphasizes a reserved and disciplined character, typical of military bearing.
Context
Active in the late 18th century, John Smart was a prominent English miniaturist whose works were frequently commissioned by British and colonial patrons. This particular portrait, while by an English artist, is classified within American folk art, reflecting its journey and reception. It is currently part of the permanent collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
John Smart (1 May 1741 – 1 May 1811) was an English painter who specialised in portrait miniatures. He was a contemporary of Richard Cosway, George Engleheart, William Wood and Richard Crosse.
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