Artwork
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work is a painted portrait of a seated man rendered against a light-toned backdrop.
About this work
Technique & Style
The work is a portrait miniature painted in watercolor on ivory, depicting an unidentified sitter in a three-quarter view. Executed circa 1836, the piece is classified as a painting within the portrait genre and belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view.
History & Provenance
Provenance records indicate the painting was part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, suggesting a documented ownership chain tied to the institution.
The work titled Portrait of a Man is attributed to an unknown artist and was created in 1836. It is classified as a painting and a portrait, and was later identified as a portrait miniature by William Lockwood, an American artist active from 1834 to 1847. The piece entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it has been housed since its acquisition. The work was recorded with an inception date of 1836, aligning with its creation period.
Provenance records indicate the painting was part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, suggesting a documented ownership chain tied to the institution. No further commission details or creation history beyond the artist attribution and date are available in the sources.
The dating of the work is anchored to 1836, as reflected in both the internal classification and the inception metadata from the museum's records.
The portrait miniature, titled Portrait of a Man and created in 1836, is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland. The work is attributed to the American artist William Lockwood, who was active between 1834 and 1847. The museum assigned the inventory number 1921.87 to this piece upon its acquisition.
The available records do not document a specific exhibition history for this miniature.
Overview
The work is a painted portrait of a seated man rendered against a light-toned backdrop. He is dressed in a black jacket, white shirt and a black bow tie, his dark hair framing a serious expression. The composition centers his face, which meets the viewer’s gaze directly, establishing an intimate visual connection.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter’s solemn demeanor and direct eye contact suggest a formal representation, possibly intended to convey status or personal gravitas. The restrained attire and neutral background focus attention on the individual’s features rather than narrative context, emphasizing character over story.
Artist & collection
