Artwork
Charles Frederick Mayer
Charles Frederick Mayer is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1818 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
This combination was characteristic of early nineteenth-century portrait miniatures, allowing for delicate handling and fine detail within a small format.
The portrait is executed in watercolor on ivory, a miniature painting technique that pairs translucent water-based pigment with a smooth, luminous ivory support. This combination was characteristic of early nineteenth-century portrait miniatures, allowing for delicate handling and fine detail within a small format. The work is classified as a portrait in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The ivory ground lends a warm, reflective quality beneath the watercolor washes, while the medium permits subtle blending and precise linear work suited to depicting a sitter's features. The handling is consistent with conventions of the period for intimate, small-scale likenesses.
History & Provenance
The portrait of a man attributed to Charles Frederick Mayer was created in 1817. Executed as a watercolor on ivory, the work is classified within the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Current records identify the piece as an anonymous painting held in the museum's collection, though the artist is linked to the subject in the provided metadata. The work depicts a male figure and dates specifically to the year 1817.
Context
The 1817 watercolor on ivory portrait titled Charles Frederick Mayer, housed in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies early American portrait miniatures. The work is classified as a portrait and depicts a man, yet the creator remains unidentified, reflecting the anonymous nature of many miniatures from this period. Its inclusion in the museum’s collection underscores its significance as a representative example of early 19th‑century American portraiture, and scholarship treats it as an anonymous piece within the broader context of early American art.
Overview
This miniature portrait depicts Charles Frederick Mayer, rendered in watercolor on a delicate ivory support. The subject gazes directly forward, presented with a softly illuminated face and meticulously styled hair. Such small-scale works, designed for personal possession and portability, were a prevalent form of portraiture during their era, offering an intimate likeness of the sitter.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures Charles Frederick Mayer in a formal pose, his gaze direct and composed. He is depicted wearing a dark coat, contrasted by a crisp, white starched collar that frames his neck. The artist has carefully rendered his features, with a gentle light illuminating his face and his hair meticulously arranged, conveying an impression of refinement and dignity.
Artist & collection
