Who painted Possibly William Metcalf?

Possibly William Metcalf was painted by The Pollard Limner in c. 1730.

Where can I see Possibly William Metcalf?

Possibly William Metcalf is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Possibly William Metcalf?

Possibly William Metcalf is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Possibly William Metcalf?

Museum-quality prints of Possibly William Metcalf are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Possibly William Metcalf

The Pollard Limner , 1730

Possibly William Metcalf is an oil painting by the Baroque artist The Pollard Limner. It dates from 1730 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

A man sits in a plain room in old-fashioned dress, his face and hands carefully painted, his look serious and direct. Made in 1730, before photography, when a portrait like this was how a likeness was kept. By the Pollard Limner, oil on canvas.

Technique & Style

The artwork is currently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.

Executed in 1730, this portrait is an oil painting on canvas support. The work depicts a male subject and is classified within the genre of portraiture. While specific details regarding the artist's brushwork, surface condition, or distinct handling techniques are not explicitly detailed in the available records, the physical composition relies on traditional materials of the period.

The dimensions of the piece are recorded as 71.8 cm in height and 57.5 cm in width. The artwork is currently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., having entered the institution through a bequest in 1980.

History & Provenance

The painting is recorded as having originated in Massachusetts. It was sold in 1973 by Robert C. Eldred Auction Galleries in Dennis, Massachusetts, to Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, with Henry Coger acting as agent. The work entered the National Gallery of Art in 1980 as a bequest from the Garbisches. The date of 1730 is given for its creation.

The portrait attributed to the Pollard Limner (c. 1730) is held by the National Gallery of Art (NGA) in Washington, D.C., where it remains in the permanent collection. Its inventory record is not specified in the cited sources. The painting was acquired by the NGA in 1980 as part of the bequest from Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, having previously been sold to them in 1973 via Robert C. Eldred Auction Galleries (Dennis, Massachusetts) with Henry Coger acting as agent. No documented exhibition history is provided in the available sources.

Overview

This oil on canvas painting, titled Possibly William Metcalf, was created around 1730 by an artist known as The Pollard Limner. It presents a formal portrait of an unidentified man. The sitter is depicted with a serious expression, engaging directly with the viewer, characteristic of portraiture from the period.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays a man seated within an understated interior, dressed in period attire. His solemn demeanor and direct gaze establish a formal connection with the observer. In an era predating photography, such painted likenesses served a crucial function in documenting individual appearances and social standing, making this work a significant record of its time.

Context

Created in the early 18th century, this portrait reflects the prevailing importance of painted images for personal and public representation. Without photographic means, commissioned portraits were the primary method for individuals to preserve their likeness for posterity or to convey their status. This work exemplifies the artistic conventions and societal needs of its period.