Artwork
Portrait Miniature of the Marquis de Lafayette
Portrait Miniature of the Marquis de Lafayette is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1785 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This small-scale portrait depicts the Marquis de Lafayette, a prominent figure, rendered with a smooth, almost porcelain-like finish.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The miniature portrays Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, the French aristocrat and military officer who became a hero of the American Revolution.
The miniature portrays Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, the French aristocrat and military officer who became a hero of the American Revolution. Rendered in 1785 on papier-mâché, the work belongs to the genre of portraiture and depicts a man identified as Lafayette himself, situating the object within the broader visual tradition of commemorating the marquis during the years immediately following his service in the United States. As a likeness produced at this moment, the piece functions as a personal commemoration of Lafayette, transforming his likeness into a portable keepsake intended to preserve and circulate his celebrated image among admirers of the Franco-American alliance.
History & Provenance
Created in 1785, this portrait miniature depicts Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. The work is executed in papier-mâché by an unidentified artist and resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified under The American Wing with accession number 83.2.326b. While the specific circumstances of its commission and the identity of its original owner remain unrecorded in the available documentation, the object's creation is firmly established as occurring in the late eighteenth century.
The miniature serves as a historical representation of the French aristocrat and American Revolutionary War hero during that period. No exhibition history beyond its presence in the museum's collection is documented in the available sources.
Legacy
The miniature of the Marquis de Lafayette, created circa 1785 by an anonymous artist, is part of The American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its presence in this major American art institution underscores its recognized significance as an early portrait of the French hero within the United States and contributes to the lasting reputation of both the sitter and the genre of miniature portraiture in American museum collections and scholarly study.
Overview
This small-scale portrait depicts the Marquis de Lafayette, a prominent figure, rendered with a smooth, almost porcelain-like finish. The subject is shown in formal attire, featuring a dark coat, white cravat, and powdered hair tied back. Unusually for a portrait of such a distinguished individual, it is crafted from papier-mâché, a material that lends itself to a personal, intimate scale. It resides within the American Wing collection.
Technique & Style
This portrait is notable for its unusual medium: papier-mâché. Crafted from layers of pressed paper, the material was carefully shaped and then painted to emulate the smooth, lustrous appearance of enamel. This choice of material distinguishes it from the more conventional portrait miniatures of the era, which typically utilized ivory or canvas. The technique results in a delicate yet durable object, contributing to its distinctive tactile and visual qualities.
Artist & collection
