Artwork
Portrait of Sir Thomas Baring, 2nd Baronet
Portrait of Sir Thomas Baring, 2nd Baronet is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1803 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work is a modestly sized oval oil portrait depicting a gentleman with tightly curled hair and a solemn demeanor.
About this work
Technique & Style
The formal style reflects early 19th-century miniature portraiture, characterized by fine detail and delicate brushwork typical of the genre.
The work is a miniature portrait painted in watercolor on ivory, depicting Sir Thomas Baring, 2nd Baronet. It is attributed to George Engleheart, a British miniaturist active from 1752 to 1829, and was created in 1803. The painting is classified as a portrait miniature and is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. It measures 6.5 cm in height.
The formal style reflects early 19th-century miniature portraiture, characterized by fine detail and delicate brushwork typical of the genre.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Sir Thomas Baring, 2nd Baronet was created in 1803. According to the Wikidata record, it is identified as a portrait miniature by George Engleheart, a British artist active from 1752 to 1829, and is catalogued under the accession number 1942.1140. The work is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains located.
No further details about the commission, intermediate ownership, or chain of custody prior to its acquisition by the museum are documented in the available sources.
The sources do not provide information on who commissioned the portrait, the circumstances of its creation, or the provenance path that brought it into the Cleveland Museum of Art's holdings.
The portrait miniature of Sir Thomas Baring, 2nd Baronet, is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Within the museum's holdings, the work is identified by the accession number 1942.1140. Created in 1803, this piece is attributed to the British artist George Engleheart.
The provided sources confirm the work's location and inventory details but do not contain specific records regarding its exhibition history.
Overview
The work is a modestly sized oval oil portrait depicting a gentleman with tightly curled hair and a solemn demeanor. He is dressed in a dark coat over a white cravat that is neatly tied at the throat, set against an unadorned, light‑colored background that directs attention to his face.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is identified as Sir Thomas Baring, 2nd Baronet, a member of a prominent British banking family. The serious expression and direct gaze convey a sense of authority and personal resolve, typical of early‑19th‑century portraiture intended to affirm status and character.
Context
The oval format, less common than rectangular canvases, was often chosen for intimate, private commissions, allowing a focused, almost three‑dimensional presence on a compact surface. The plain background aligns with contemporary conventions that emphasized the sitter’s likeness over decorative settings.
Artist & collection
