Artwork
Sharp Delany
Sharp Delany is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Robert Field. It dates from 1799 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
This tiny painting is on ivory, not paper, watercolor on ivory was a luxury in 1799.
You see a young man in a dark coat, his face lit softly against a pale background. His eyes look straight at you, lips slightly parted like he’s about to speak.
This tiny painting is on ivory, not paper, watercolor on ivory was a luxury in 1799. The smooth surface lets light shine through, making skin glow. Artists often made these miniatures to carry, like a photo in your pocket.
Look up other works in the subject: portraits.
Subject & Meaning
The painting titled Sharp Delany, created by Robert Field in 1799, is a watercolor on ivory portrait housed in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It portrays a seated male sitter identified as Sharp Delany, rendered in the miniature genre characteristic of early American portraiture. The work's iconography consists solely of conventional portrait elements, formal attire and a neutral background, without additional symbolic attributes.
As a likeness, it functions to document the appearance and status of its sitter within late-18th-century American society, serving as a visual record rather than a narrative allegory.
Technique & Style
Sharp Delany is a watercolor portrait executed on a thin ivory panel, a support typical of late-18th-century American miniature painting. The work measures approximately 7.3 cm by 5.9 cm, reflecting the compact format of miniature portraits. Robert Field employed delicate washes to achieve subtle tonal modeling and fine linear detail, producing a restrained palette and precise rendering of facial features.
The composition follows the conventions of early American portrait miniatures, emphasizing clarity of line and modest decorative background.
History & Provenance
Sharp Delany is a 1799 watercolor on ivory portrait executed by Robert Field. The painting portrays the sitter named Sharp Delany and is classified within the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it has been part of the museum's collection since its acquisition. The work is recorded as a miniature portrait in the museum's catalogue, reflecting its small scale and intimate format.
Its creation dates to the late 18th century, aligning with Field's activity as a miniature portraitist in America.
Overview
Robert Field, a painter originally from London, created Sharp Delany in 1799. This watercolor on ivory is a miniature portrait, a format for which Field was particularly recognized. The work captures a young man with a direct gaze, his features softly illuminated against a light ground. It exemplifies the refined neo-classical aesthetic prevalent in portraiture during the late 18th century.
Context
Robert Field, whose career spanned Nova Scotia and Jamaica, was highly regarded for his skill in miniature painting. Art historian Daphne Foskett identified him as among the foremost American miniaturists of his period. Miniatures like Sharp Delany were often created to be portable, serving a function similar to modern photographs, allowing individuals to carry images of loved ones or important figures.
Artist & collection
Artist
Robert Field (1769–1819) was a painter who was born in London and died in Kingston, Jamaica.
