Artwork
Jonathan Snelling
Jonathan Snelling is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As the primary subject, Snelling is represented simply as a man, with the work's iconography limited to the conventions of late eighteenth-century portraiture.
Executed in 1795, this watercolor on ivory functions as a portrait depicting Jonathan Snelling. As the primary subject, Snelling is represented simply as a man, with the work's iconography limited to the conventions of late eighteenth-century portraiture. The piece serves as a direct visual record of the sitter's likeness rather than employing complex allegorical symbolism.
Classified within the genre of portrait painting, the artwork's meaning is rooted in its documentary function, preserving the appearance of Snelling for posterity. No additional symbolic elements or broader representational themes beyond the identification of the male subject are indicated in the available records.
Technique & Style
The portrait of Jonathan Snelling, dated 1795, is executed in watercolor on a thin ivory support, a technique typical of early American portrait miniatures. The work measures roughly 4.4 × 3.3 inches and was created as an anonymous likeness now held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Wing. Its formal qualities reflect the delicate washes and fine linear detail characteristic of watercolor on ivory, producing a modest yet intimate representation of the sitter.
The composition is straightforward, emphasizing facial features with minimal background, consistent with the portrait genre of the period.
History & Provenance
Created around 1795, the watercolor on ivory portrait titled Jonathan Snelling measures approximately 4.4 × 3.3 inches and depicts the sitter identified as Jonathan Snelling. The work is classified as a portrait within the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it has been part of the collection since its acquisition. The painting is attributed to an unknown artist; its inception is recorded as 1795‑00‑00, and it was likely executed as a private commission. Provenance is limited to its transfer to the museum, with no earlier ownership documented.
The portrait of Jonathan Snelling, executed in 1795 as a watercolor on ivory, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Within the museum's structure, the work is classified under The American Wing. The piece measures 4.4 units in height and 3.3 units in width.
While the artist remains anonymous, the subject is identified as a man named Jonathan Snelling. The provided sources do not contain specific accession numbers, inventory identifiers, or a record of any exhibitions in which this work has been displayed.
Overview
This miniature portrait, rendered in watercolor on ivory, depicts Jonathan Snelling. Its circular format and diminutive scale suggest it was intended for personal adornment, perhaps set into a locket or brooch. The artwork captures the sitter in a dark coat and white cravat, characteristic attire of the period.
Such intimate pieces were highly valued for their portability and the close connection they offered to the depicted individual.
Context
This type of intimate portraiture holds a significant place within the broader history of American art, particularly within the collection of the American Wing. Miniatures like this served as cherished mementos, often exchanged between loved ones or worn as a constant reminder of an absent individual. They represent a distinct facet of portraiture, emphasizing personal connection and sentimentality over grand public display.
Artist & collection
