Artwork
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man is an ivory painting. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This painted portrait on ivory depicts an unidentified man.
About this work
Technique & Style
The artist employed ivory as the primary material, a medium historically favored for its smooth, luminous surface which allows for fine detail in portraiture.
Created in 1760, this portrait is executed on an ivory support, distinguishing it as a miniature painting rather than a work on canvas or panel. The artist employed ivory as the primary material, a medium historically favored for its smooth, luminous surface which allows for fine detail in portraiture. The resulting object measures 3.1 centimeters in height and 2.5 centimeters in width, reflecting the compact scale typical of the genre.
Classified as a painting despite its miniature dimensions, the work depicts a male subject rendered with the precision characteristic of eighteenth-century ivory portraiture. The small physical format suggests it was likely intended for intimate viewing or personal possession, consistent with the conventions of the period's portrait miniatures.
History & Provenance
The Portrait of a Man, an ivory painting created in 1760, is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work is cataloged under the accession number 62.122.72. While the provided sources confirm the artwork's location, medium, date of creation, and inventory number, they do not contain specific details regarding a history of public exhibitions or the chronological provenance of its ownership prior to its acquisition by the museum.
Overview
This painted portrait on ivory depicts an unidentified man. The artwork focuses on his face and upper torso, presenting him in contemporary attire. Its small scale and the chosen material contribute to a refined aesthetic, characteristic of certain portraiture traditions.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is shown with his hair gathered into a ponytail, wearing a light-colored shirt with a high collar, beneath a dark jacket. This presentation captures a specific fashion of the period, offering insight into the personal style and social conventions of the time through his formal yet individualized depiction.
Context
Works such as this ivory portrait were often prized for their portability and intimate scale, serving as personal mementos or objects of display within private collections. Its presence in institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art highlights the historical significance and artistic merit attributed to such finely crafted miniature paintings.
Artist & collection
- Gérard de Vesme
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man
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