Artwork
Portrait of General Keith MacAlister
Portrait of General Keith MacAlister is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1805 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This painted portrait depicts General Keith MacAlister, presented as a formal bust-length study.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The attribution to John I Smart further contextualizes the work within the tradition of British portrait miniatures from the early nineteenth century.
The work depicts General Keith MacAlister, a military figure identified by his rank and name in the title. Created in 1805, the piece functions as a formal portrait intended to capture the likeness and status of the subject. While the specific iconography or symbolic elements within the composition are not detailed in the available records, the genre itself serves as a commemorative representation of the general's identity and standing.
The attribution to John I Smart further contextualizes the work within the tradition of British portrait miniatures from the early nineteenth century.
Technique & Style
The Portrait of General Keith MacAlister is executed as a portrait miniature, a distinct format within the genre of portraiture. Created in 1805, the work is attributed to the British artist John I Smart. While the specific support materials such as ivory or vellum are not detailed in the available records, the classification as a miniature defines its scale and handling conventions typical of early 19th-century portraiture.
The piece is currently held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under the accession number 1997.77.
History & Provenance
The portrait of General Keith MacAlister is dated to 1805 according to both internal cataloguing and the Cleveland Museum of Art’s record. It is currently housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is described as a miniature attributed to the British artist John I Smart. Alternative documentation characterizes the work as a painting by an unknown artist.
The sources do not provide information on the portrait’s commission, earlier owners, or any subsequent provenance beyond its present museum location.
The Portrait of General Keith MacAlister is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, where it is catalogued under accession number 1997.77. The work is recorded as a portrait miniature dated to 1805, though the artist is attributed to John I Smart in the museum's records while the internal entry lists the creator as unknown. No exhibition history is documented in the sources provided, and the piece remains in the museum's permanent holdings.
Overview
This painted portrait depicts General Keith MacAlister, presented as a formal bust-length study. The artwork captures the sitter with a serious expression, emphasizing his facial features and distinguished attire. Executed on aged paper, the composition is contained within a soft, faded oval border, suggesting a focused and intimate presentation of the subject, despite its simple rendering.
Artist & collection
