Artwork
George Washington
George Washington is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Robert Field. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Robert Field's 1800 portrait of George Washington is executed in watercolor on ivory, a medium characteristic of miniature portraiture.
Robert Field's 1800 portrait of George Washington is executed in watercolor on ivory, a medium characteristic of miniature portraiture. The work measures 7.9 units in height and 6.2 units in width, reflecting the compact scale typical of the genre. As a portrait, the piece focuses on the formal representation of the subject, utilizing the translucent qualities of watercolor to render facial features on the smooth ivory support.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this piece within its American Wing collection, where it is classified as a portrait. The technique relies on the delicate application of pigment to achieve a refined likeness, adhering to the stylistic conventions of early 19th-century miniature painting.
History & Provenance
Robert Field's 1800 watercolor portrait of George Washington is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work is classified within the museum's American Wing and depicts the former U.S. president. While the source identifies the artist, date, medium, and current location, it does not provide a specific accession or inventory number for the piece.
Furthermore, the available documentation does not record any exhibition history or past display locations for this miniature portrait.
Overview
This miniature portrait, rendered in watercolor on ivory around 1800, depicts George Washington. Created by the London-born artist Robert Field, who worked across North America and the Caribbean, it exemplifies the detailed craftsmanship of early American portraiture. Field's work on this piece contributes to the tradition of American folk art, offering a personal depiction of a national figure.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents George Washington in a profile view, wearing a dark coat and white cravat. As a watercolor on ivory miniature, this piece was likely intended for private viewing rather than public display. Such small-scale portraits often served as intimate keepsakes, worn as jewelry or carried in lockets, reflecting a personal connection to the sitter rather than a grand public statement.
Context
Robert Field's career spanned various regions, including North America and the Caribbean, following his training in London. Around the turn of the 19th century, he was recognized as the most professionally trained painter active in Nova Scotia, a region now part of Canada. Art historian Daphne Foskett later identified Field as a leading American miniaturist, underscoring his significant contribution to the genre.
Artist & collection
Artist
Robert Field (1769–1819) was a painter who was born in London and died in Kingston, Jamaica.
