Artwork
The Reverend Dr. Ezra Stiles
The Reverend Dr. Ezra Stiles is a watercolor painting by the Rococo painting artist Samuel King. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This small, oval portrait, titled The Reverend Dr.
About this work
Technique & Style
The portrait is executed in watercolor on ivory, a miniature technique characteristic of small-scale likenesses produced in the late eighteenth century.
The portrait is executed in watercolor on ivory, a miniature technique characteristic of small-scale likenesses produced in the late eighteenth century. The work is classified as a portrait miniature and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its diminutive dimensions, recorded at 4.4 cm in height by 3.1 cm in width, reflect the intimate, handheld scale typical of the format.
The use of ivory as a support, paired with watercolor pigment, allowed for the fine, translucent modeling and delicate finish associated with the miniature tradition. The piece is dated 1770 and attributed to Samuel King.
History & Provenance
The watercolor on ivory portrait of The Reverend Dr. Ezra Stiles was created by Samuel King in 1770. According to the cataloguing record, the work's inception date is recorded as 1770-01-01. The miniature, measuring 4.4 by 3.1 units, entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within The American Wing and held as a portrait miniature.
No further information regarding an original commission, intermediate ownership, or chain of custody prior to the museum's acquisition is documented in the available sources.
Overview
This small, oval portrait, titled The Reverend Dr. Ezra Stiles, was created by Samuel King in 1770. Rendered in watercolor on ivory, it presents a likeness of a man dressed in formal attire. The work holds significance as one of the earliest known American portraits executed in this delicate medium, distinguishing it from the more common oil paintings of the period. Its intimate scale and refined execution reflect a particular approach to portraiture in the late colonial era.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Reverend Dr. Ezra Stiles, presented in a formal manner characteristic of the period. He is shown wearing a black coat and a white collar, attire that conveys his professional standing. While the artwork's primary purpose was to capture an individual likeness, it also serves as a historical record of prominent figures in colonial America.
The intimate scale of the portrait suggests it may have been intended for personal viewing or as a memento.
Artist & collection
