Artwork
Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The sources record the piece as part of The American Wing collection, though specific conservation history or current condition are not detailed.
The work is executed in watercolor on a thin ivory panel, a support typical of early-19th-century portrait miniatures. The medium consists of delicate washes that define facial features and clothing with fine linear detail, while the ivory surface provides a smooth, slightly translucent ground that enhances color saturation. Measured at approximately 3.4 × 2.5 centimeters, the portrait occupies a modest scale that emphasizes intimacy.
The composition presents a seated gentleman in a three-quarter view, rendered with soft tonal modeling and a restrained palette characteristic of American portraiture of the 1830s. The sources record the piece as part of The American Wing collection, though specific conservation history or current condition are not detailed.
History & Provenance
Portrait of a Gentleman is an unsigned watercolor on ivory dated to 1834, as recorded in the artwork's catalog entry. The artist remains unknown, so any commission details are unavailable. The work entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in 2006, evidenced by its accession number 2006.235.325, and is currently housed in the museum's American Wing.
Prior to its acquisition by the Met, the painting's ownership history is not documented in the provided sources.
The watercolor portrait titled 'Portrait of a Gentleman,' created in 1834 by an unknown artist, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Classified within the museum's American Wing, the work is cataloged under the accession number 2006.235.325. The piece depicts a male subject on an ivory support measuring approximately 3.4 by 2.5 centimeters.
While the artwork's current institutional location and specific inventory designation are documented, the provided records do not list any specific past exhibitions or loan history for this object.
Overview
This small watercolor on ivory, titled Portrait of a Gentleman, presents a man with a direct gaze. He is depicted in a dark coat and white shirt, with neatly combed hair and a subtle pink flush on his cheeks. As part of The American Wing collection, this piece exemplifies the intimate scale and personal nature characteristic of miniature portraits from its era.
Subject & Meaning
The unnamed gentleman in this portrait gazes directly forward, his composure conveyed through his tidy attire and carefully styled hair. The soft, rosy tone applied to his cheeks adds a lifelike quality to his countenance. Such miniature portraits often served as personal mementos, intended for private viewing or as tokens exchanged between loved ones.
Context
Miniature portraits like this one gained considerable popularity, especially during periods when photography was not yet widespread. Their compact size made them highly portable, allowing individuals to carry images of family members or significant figures with ease. These small-scale works often served as intimate personal possessions, reflecting social customs and the desire for private keepsakes.
Artist & collection
