Artwork
Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays an unidentified gentleman, rendered as a portrait in watercolor on ivory and dated to 1845. The sources describe it simply as a depiction of a man, with no further iconographic or symbolic details recorded. Consequently, the subject's identity, any specific attributes, or broader meaning remain unspecified in the available documentation.
Technique & Style
The Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor on an ivory support, dated to 1845. Classified as a portrait within the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, it measures roughly 6.4 × 5.1 cm and depicts an unidentified man. As a portrait miniature it would have been intended for private, intimate viewing. Specific details of its handling or condition are not documented in the available sources.
History & Provenance
Portrait of a Gentleman is an anonymous watercolor on ivory created in 1845. The work is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, where it has been catalogued as a portrait of an unidentified man. No earlier ownership, commission, or exhibition history is documented in the available sources.
Overview
This miniature artwork, titled Portrait of a Gentleman, presents a man in a dark coat, his gaze directed forward with a softly illuminated countenance. Executed in watercolor on a sliver of ivory, the piece is remarkably small, easily held in the palm of a hand. Its intimate scale and direct portrayal suggest a personal connection, characteristic of a private memento.
Context
Before photographic processes became widespread, miniature portraits like this served as cherished personal keepsakes, often carried close to the body. Their diminutive size made them ideal for discreet display or for sharing among family and close acquaintances. The unknown artist of this particular work crafted an image that conveys a sense of quiet intimacy, akin to a private treasure.
Artist & collection
