Artwork
Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor painting by the Biedermeier artist Louis Francis DePaul Binsse. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The piece is currently part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within The American Wing.
Created in 1810, this portrait by Louis Francis DePaul Binsse is executed in watercolor on an ivory support, a medium characteristic of miniature portraiture from the period. The work measures 7 inches in height and 5.6 inches in width. As a small-scale painting, the technique relies on the translucency of watercolor pigments applied to the smooth, polished surface of the ivory, allowing for delicate modeling of the sitter's features.
The formal qualities centre on the depiction of a single male subject, consistent with the genre of the portrait. The piece is currently part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within The American Wing.
History & Provenance
The watercolor miniature Portrait of a Gentleman by Louis Francis DePaul Binsse is dated to 1810, aligning with the artist's active period at the turn of the 19th century. The work entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art's holdings as part of its collection, where it is currently located. The sitter remains unidentified, and no documented commission or early provenance prior to its accession by the museum has been published.
The portrait is held within the museum's American Wing and classified as depicting a man, executed in watercolor on ivory and measuring approximately 7 inches in height and 5.6 inches in width.
Overview
This small watercolor on ivory, titled Portrait of a Gentleman, was created around 1810 by Louis Francis DePaul Binsse. It captures the likeness of an unidentified man, rendered with delicate detail characteristic of miniature portraiture from the period. The artwork exemplifies the intimate scale and precise execution often found in personal keepsakes of the early 19th century.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, an unnamed man, is depicted in a dark coat, his gaze directed forward. His features are softly illuminated, emphasizing a composed expression. Attention is given to the details of his attire, including a pristine white cravat and carefully styled hair, reflecting the sartorial conventions of the early 19th century. The directness of his look engages the viewer, creating a sense of immediate presence.
Artist & collection
Artist
Louis Francis DePaul Binsse (1774–1844) was an artist, born in France.
