Portrait of a Man, said to be the Sculptor Clodion (1738–1814)

1704

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

Portrait of a Man, said to be the Sculptor Clodion (1738–1814) is a 1704 by Unknown, a Romanticism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1704 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

A man in a powdered wig and ruffled collar looks out from a small round frame. His face is calm, his clothes rich but simple—no crown, just a ribbon tying back his hair. This is probably Clodion, a French sculptor who carved playful nymphs and satyrs. The artist painted him like a nobleman, not a craftsman, in a style called a portrait miniature. These tiny paintings were often worn as jewelry or carried like photos. To see more of these delicate keepsakes, look up *France*.

The story of this work

Overview

This portrait is presumed to represent the French sculptor Clodion (1738-1814). He is depicted as a nobleman, wearing a suit with a ruffled collar and a wig tied with a ribbon. The medallion format and use of color in this drawing recall painted portrait miniatures, an art form that reached the height of its popularity in the 18th century.

Read the full account in the museum source.