Artwork
Jonathan Dwight
Jonathan Dwight is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Joseph Steward. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a genre portrait, the work focuses on representing the individual man rather than illustrating a narrative scene or complex allegory.
The artwork is a portrait depicting Jonathan Dwight, identified as the main subject of the painting created in 1790. As a genre portrait, the work focuses on representing the individual man rather than illustrating a narrative scene or complex allegory. The composition presents Dwight in a straightforward manner consistent with portraiture conventions of the late 18th century.
No specific symbolic elements, iconographic details, or deeper metaphorical meanings beyond the representation of the sitter himself are documented in the available records. The painting serves primarily as a visual record of Dwight's appearance during that period.
Technique & Style
The portrait of Jonathan Dwight is executed in oil on canvas, a conventional medium for late-eighteenth-century American portraiture. The handling shows smooth blending and careful modeling of facial features, consistent with academic training of the period. Dwight is depicted in three-quarter view against a neutral background, employing restrained chiaroscuro to articulate form.
The composition emphasizes clarity and dignity, with attention to costume detail and restrained gesture. No evidence of significant pentimenti or abrasion is noted in the record, suggesting the work has retained its original surface integrity.
History & Provenance
The portrait titled Jonathan Dwight, painted in oil on canvas in 1790 and attributed to Joseph Steward, measures 74.9 × 66.7 cm. It represents the sitter identified as Jonathan Dwight, a man, within the portrait genre. The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and is displayed in The American Wing. No documentation of a commission survives, and the acquisition date is unspecified, but museum records confirm its presence in the institution’s holdings. The painting’s creation is dated to circa 1790, reflecting the artist’s early American portrait practice.
The portrait of Jonathan Dwight by Joseph Steward is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within the museum's American Wing. Painted in oil on canvas in 1790, the work measures 74.9 by 66.7 centimeters. No accession number or specific exhibition history is recorded in the available documentation.
Overview
The oil on canvas portrait, titled Jonathan Dwight, depicts a man seated in period attire, exuding a serious and composed demeanor. This artwork provides insight into the conventions of historical portraiture, showcasing the fashion and typical poses adopted for such representations. The artist's meticulous attention to detail, particularly in the rendering of the subject's clothing, contributes to its historical and artistic significance. The piece is housed within The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing.
Context
This portrait is displayed within The American Wing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, placing it within a comprehensive collection of American art. Its inclusion helps to illustrate the evolution of portraiture in the United States, offering viewers an example of how individuals were depicted in past centuries. The painting thus contributes to a broader understanding of cultural practices and artistic trends prevalent during the period of its creation.
Artist & collection
