Artwork
Portrait of an "Old Sea Captain"
Portrait of an "Old Sea Captain" is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist Samuel Isham. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
The painting depicts an older man sitting in a chair, wearing a black suit, white shirt, and black bow tie.
The painting depicts an older man sitting in a chair, wearing a black suit, white shirt, and black bow tie. He has a black hat on his head and holds a cane in his right hand, resting it on his left hand. The background is a muted greenish-brown color.
The man's attire and the style of the painting suggest that it may be from the mid-19th century. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and dimensionality in the portrait.
This painting is a great example of the work of Samuel Isham, an artist known for his portraits.
Technique & Style
Samuel Isham executed the Portrait of an "Old Sea Captain" in 1849 using oil paint applied to a canvas support. The work measures 73.3 cm in height and 59.4 cm in width, adhering to the standard vertical format typical of portraiture from the era. As a portrait genre piece, the painting relies on the artist's handling of oil pigments to define the sitter's features and attire within the United States. The medium and support combination allows for the detailed rendering characteristic of Isham's early career work.
History & Provenance
The oil-on-canvas portrait titled 'Portrait of an Old Sea Captain' was created by Samuel Isham in 1849. The work measures 73.3 cm in height and 59.4 cm in width. It is currently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under the accession number 1915.87. The painting was executed in the United States.
Portrait of an "Old Sea Captain" by Samuel Isham is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under the inventory number 1915.87. The work entered the museum's collection as part of its holdings of American paintings, and it remains associated with that institution's permanent collection. No exhibition history beyond its institutional placement at the Cleveland Museum of Art is documented in the available sources.
Legacy
The work is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, a status that signals its recognized importance within the corpus of 19th‑century American portraiture. Its designation as an oil‑on‑canvas portrait, documented in the artist's catalogue, underscores its technical execution and subject matter. The recorded dimensions of 73.3 cm by 59.4 cm, along with its creation date of 1849, provide concrete data that support scholarly reference to the piece as a representative example of early American portraiture. The museum's stewardship of the painting reflects an ongoing appreciation of its historical and artistic value.
Overview
Samuel Isham's "Portrait of an Old Sea Captain," an oil painting from 1849, offers a glimpse into mid-19th-century portraiture. This artwork is housed within the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art, serving as a representative example of the artist's output during this period.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts an older gentleman seated, formally attired in a black suit, white shirt, and black bow tie. He wears a black hat and holds a cane, resting it across his left hand. The figure is positioned against a simple, muted greenish-brown background, which directs attention to the sitter himself.
Context
This work is characteristic of Samuel Isham, an artist primarily known for his portrait commissions. The painting reflects the era's demand for individual likenesses, demonstrating Isham's proficiency in capturing the appearance of his subjects through conventional artistic approaches.
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Artist & collection
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