Artwork
Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Nathaniel Rogers. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The Portrait of a Gentleman (1825) is executed in watercolor on an ivory support, a medium that confers a luminous, translucent surface typical of early-American portraiture. Measuring approximately 6.8 × 5.4 inches, the work fits within the modest scale characteristic of Nathaniel Rogers's portrait miniatures and is housed in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession 1992.71). Rogers renders the sitter with restrained modeling and delicate washes, emphasizing fine facial detail and a sober bearing that reflects neoclassical conventions of the 1820s.
History & Provenance
I: A Catalogue of Works by Artists Born Before 1835" held at the museum from September 16, 1999, to January 9, 2000.
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor on ivory portrait painted by Nathaniel Rogers in 1825. It is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accessioned as 1992.71 and on view in The American Wing. The work was included in the exhibition "American Drawings and Watercolors in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Vol.
I: A Catalogue of Works by Artists Born Before 1835" held at the museum from September 16, 1999, to January 9, 2000.
Overview
Nathaniel Rogers created this Portrait of a Gentleman around 1825, utilizing watercolor on a small ivory support. This intimate work captures the likeness of an unidentified man, rendered with a direct gaze. As a miniature, it exemplifies a popular form of portraiture from the early 19th century, often cherished for its portability and personal significance.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a man dressed in a dark coat, his face softly illuminated as he looks directly forward. His attire, characterized by a high collar and a neatly tied cravat, reflects the fashion of the 1820s. Such small-scale portraits were frequently commissioned as personal mementos, intended to be carried or displayed in private settings, fostering a close connection between the sitter and the viewer.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nathaniel Rogers (1787-1844) was an American miniature painter, born at Bridgehampton on Long Island, New York.
