Artwork
Samuel P. Avery (1822–1904)
Samuel P. Avery (1822–1904) is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta. It dates from 1888 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
This painting shows a man with a long red beard and mustache, dressed in a dark suit, white shirt, and a blue bow tie.
This painting shows a man with a long red beard and mustache, dressed in a dark suit, white shirt, and a blue bow tie. His lapel has a single red flower pinned to it. The background is a plain, dark green color that makes his face stand out.
The artist signed the painting in the top right corner, and it was made in 1876. The way the light hits his face and clothes gives it a smooth, almost three-dimensional look.
Next, check out the technique called chiaroscuro.
Subject & Meaning
Executed in 1888, this oil painting on panel functions as a formal portrait depicting Samuel Putnam Avery. The work's primary subject is Avery himself, rendered with the specific intent of capturing his likeness for posterity. As a piece within the portrait genre, the iconography is focused entirely on the individual sitter rather than allegorical figures or complex narrative scenes.
The painting represents Avery's status and identity, serving as a visual record of the prominent figure. Held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the composition centers on the male subject, utilizing the traditional conventions of portraiture to convey the dignity and presence of the sitter without relying on additional symbolic props or background narratives to define its meaning.
Technique & Style
The painting is an oil work executed on a wooden panel, measuring 61 cm in height by 48.9 cm in width and dated 1888. It belongs to the portrait genre and portrays the art dealer Samuel Putnam Avery. The composition follows a conventional academic format, employing fine brushwork and naturalistic modeling typical of Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta's technique.
The surface bears the characteristic sheen of oil paint, and the rendering emphasizes realistic facial detail and subtle chiaroscuro to convey presence. The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Samuel Putnam Avery was painted in 1888 by Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta in oil on panel, measuring approximately 61 × 48.9 cm. It depicts the New York art dealer Avery and is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is inventoried as Samuel P. Avery (1822–1904) under accession 2004.437. No earlier ownership records are documented in the available sources.
Overview
This oil painting by Spanish artist Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta captures a likeness of Samuel Putnam Avery, a prominent figure of his era. Completed in 1876, the work is a notable example of the artist's portraiture. The painting is currently housed within the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a significant piece in their holdings.
Context
Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta belonged to the distinguished Madrazo family, a lineage of notable Spanish artists. While recognized for his genre scenes and portraits, his artistic development later incorporated elements from Rococo aesthetics and Japanese art. This portrait of Avery exemplifies his skill in capturing individual likenesses, a key aspect of his broader artistic output.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta (24 July 1841 – 15 September 1920) was a Spanish painter from the Madrazo family of artists who worked in the Realistic style, although his later work shows signs of Rococo and Japanese influence.
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