Artwork
Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor painting by the British Romanticist artist Samuel Broadbent Jr.. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Created in 1838, it is classified within The American Wing’s portrait genre and depicts a seated male sitter, consistent with its cataloguing as a portrait.
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor executed on a thin ivory support, a medium frequently employed for miniature portraiture in the early nineteenth century. The work measures approximately 6.2 × 5 inches, reflecting the small scale typical of such pieces. Created in 1838, it is classified within The American Wing’s portrait genre and depicts a seated male sitter, consistent with its cataloguing as a portrait.
The painting’s formal qualities include a restrained color palette and delicate brushwork that convey a genteel likeness typical of contemporary American portraiture.
History & Provenance
Created in 1838, this watercolor on ivory portrait was executed by the American artist Samuel Broadbent Jr. The work depicts an unidentified gentleman and is classified as a portrait miniature. While specific details regarding the original commission or the identity of the sitter are not provided in the available records, the piece's creation date is firmly established as January 1, 1838. The artwork eventually entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is housed within the American Wing.
The physical dimensions of the ivory support are recorded as 6.2 units in height and 5 units in width. No intermediate ownership history or provenance chain prior to its acquisition by the museum is detailed in the current sources.
Portrait of a Gentleman, a watercolor on ivory by Samuel Broadbent Jr. dated 1838, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within The American Wing. The work measures approximately 6.2 by 5 inches. No specific accession number is recorded in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented.
Overview
Portrait of a Gentleman, painted by Samuel Broadbent Jr. in 1838, is a watercolor miniature on ivory. This small-scale work captures the likeness of an unidentified man, presented with a direct gaze. It exemplifies the popular portraiture style of the early 19th century, often created for personal keepsakes or to be worn as jewelry.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, an unnamed gentleman, is depicted in a dark coat, his face softly illuminated as he looks directly forward. His crisp collar and neatly combed hair suggest a refined presentation. Such intimate portraits were common during the period, serving as personal mementos for family members or close acquaintances, preserving an individual's image in a portable format.
Context
Miniature portraits like this one flourished throughout the 1800s, serving as an accessible form of personal portraiture before the advent of photography. These small, often oval-shaped artworks were frequently set into lockets, brooches, or small frames, allowing them to be carried or displayed intimately. They offered a way to keep the image of a loved one close, reflecting social customs of the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Samuel Broadbent (1810-1880) was an American portrait painter and photographer. He began his career as a portrait painter and miniaturist in Hartford, Connecticut, the son of Dr. Samuel Broadbent, a physician who also…
