Artwork
Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1835 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2006.235.259
- Credit line
- Fletcher Fund, 2006
About this work
Technique & Style
While the specific artist remains unidentified, the technical choice of watercolor on ivory defines its material identity and visual texture.
Executed in 1835, this portrait utilizes watercolor applied to an ivory support, a medium characteristic of miniature painting traditions. The work presents a formal depiction of a male subject, adhering to the conventions of the portrait genre. Physically, the piece is diminutive in scale, measuring approximately 6.1 by 5 units, which necessitates a delicate handling of the brushwork typical for such small-scale ivory surfaces.
While the specific artist remains unidentified, the technical choice of watercolor on ivory defines its material identity and visual texture. The composition focuses exclusively on the gentleman, leveraging the luminous quality of the ivory beneath the translucent pigment layers to achieve the sitter's likeness.
History & Provenance
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor on ivory dated 1835, attributed to an anonymous hand and classified within The American Wing as a portrait. The work measures approximately 6.1 × 5 inches and depicts a man. It entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 2006.235.259, and has been on display in the museum’s American paintings galleries since at least 2006. The dating and medium are recorded in contemporary documentation, while the attribution remains anonymous.
Portrait of a Gentleman is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Its accession number, as recorded in the museum’s catalogue, is 2006.235.259. The painting belongs to the American Wing’s portrait collection and was created in 1835 as a watercolor on ivory.
No exhibition history is documented in the consulted records; the available sources only note its presence in the museum’s collection. The work remains part of the museum’s permanent holdings and is not presently listed in any special exhibition itineraries.
Overview
This "Portrait of a Gentleman" is a watercolor miniature painted on ivory, a common medium for such small-scale works. Housed in The American Wing, it exemplifies a popular form of personal portraiture from its era. The piece depicts an unidentified man, his gaze directed forward, rendered with delicate brushwork on a surface no larger than a playing card. These intimate portraits served as cherished mementos, often carried close or exchanged between individuals.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork presents an unnamed gentleman, depicted in a dark coat, whose direct gaze engages the viewer. While his identity remains unknown, the portrait's small scale and intimate nature suggest it was intended as a personal keepsake. Such miniatures functioned as tangible reminders of loved ones, akin to modern photographs, allowing individuals to carry images of family or friends with them.
Context
During the period when this portrait was created, miniature paintings served a significant role in personal communication and remembrance. Individuals often carried these small images in lockets or incorporated them into letters as tokens of affection or connection. They provided a portable and private means of preserving the likenesses of family members, friends, or romantic partners before the advent of photography.
Artist & collection
