Artwork
Portrait Miniature of the Marquis de Lafayette
Portrait Miniature of the Marquis de Lafayette is an ivory painting. It dates from 1829 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As an emblem of Franco-American friendship forged during the Revolution, such an image commemorated Lafayette's enduring legacy and influence.
This miniature portrays Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, the French aristocrat and military officer renowned for his role in the American Revolutionary War. Painted in 1829, the portrait presents Lafayette in a conventional bust-length format, emphasizing his dignified presence. As an emblem of Franco-American friendship forged during the Revolution, such an image commemorated Lafayette's enduring legacy and influence. The miniature's intimate scale and refined execution suggest it was intended for private circulation among admirers.
Technique & Style
Created in 1829, this portrait miniature of the Marquis de Lafayette is executed on an ivory support, a characteristic medium for the genre. The work measures 7.3 centimeters in height and 6.4 centimeters in width, adhering to the intimate scale typical of personal portraiture. The artist remains unidentified.
The use of ivory suggests a delicate technique in which pigments were applied to the smooth, translucent surface to achieve subtle tonal variations. The work survives in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art as an example of early 19th-century miniature painting.
History & Provenance
The miniature portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette was executed in 1829 on a small ivory panel by an unidentified artist. Measuring approximately 7.3 × 6.4 cm, it belongs to the portrait genre and depicts Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. It is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, classified within the institution's American Wing, under accession number 83.2.332. No exhibition history beyond its placement in the permanent collection is documented in the available sources.
Overview
This small oval portrait depicts the young Marquis de Lafayette, identifiable by his blue military coat adorned with gold trim and his powdered hair tied back. His gaze is direct and composed, reflecting a serious demeanor. Rendered on ivory, this miniature was likely created around the period when Lafayette embarked on his journey to America, where he would play a significant role in the Revolutionary War.
Artist & collection
