Artwork
Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor painting by the Rococo painting artist Philippe Abraham Peticolas. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Its classification as a miniature appears in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s records, which list the piece in The American Wing collection.
The Portrait of a Gentleman (1798) is a watercolor painting on an ivory support, placing it within the tradition of miniature portraiture. Executed by Philippe Abraham Peticolas, the work depicts a gentleman in a three‑quarter view with fine linear detail and subtle tonal modulation typical of early American miniatures. Its classification as a miniature appears in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s records, which list the piece in The American Wing collection.
The delicate handling of watercolor on ivory yields a translucent surface and precise rendering of facial features, reflecting the formal stylistic qualities of late‑18th‑century portrait miniatures.
History & Provenance
The Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor on ivory painted by Philippe Abraham Peticolas in 1798. The work depicts a man in portrait format and belongs to the portrait genre. It entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as part of The American Wing.
The painting’s creation history is documented through its date of execution and its attribution to Peticolas in contemporary records. Since its acquisition, the piece has remained in the museum’s custody, forming part of the institution’s permanent holdings.
The watercolor miniature Portrait of a Gentleman, executed by Philippe Abraham Peticolas in 1798, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Within the institution, the work is classified under the American Wing. While the artwork's presence in the museum's holdings is documented, the provided records do not specify a particular inventory or accession number, nor do they list any past or current exhibitions in which the piece has been displayed.
Overview
Philippe Abraham Peticolas, a French-American artist active in Richmond, Virginia, created this watercolor on ivory miniature in 1798. Titled Portrait of a Gentleman, it captures an unnamed individual with a refined likeness, characteristic of late 18th-century portraiture. This small-scale work exemplifies the artist's specialization in a popular genre of the era, showcasing his skill in intimate representations.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork presents an unidentified man, depicted with a direct gaze and a composed demeanor. Dressed in a dark coat and a white cravat, his features are rendered with a smooth, individualized precision against a simple background. This style reflects the prevailing conventions of late 18th-century portraiture, which aimed to capture a refined and personal likeness of the sitter, often for private display or as a memento.
Context
Peticolas, active in Richmond, Virginia, was known for his expertise in portrait miniatures, a genre that saw considerable popularity, particularly during the Rococo period and extending into the late 18th century. These small, often personal images served as intimate mementos, offering a more private alternative to larger oil portraits and reflecting a desire for portable and discreet representations of loved ones or esteemed individuals.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philippe Abraham Peticolas (1760 – 1841) was an early American artist known for his portraits and miniatures.
