Artwork
Portrait of Thomas Hobbes
Portrait of Thomas Hobbes is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This painted portrait depicts Thomas Hobbes, the English philosopher, within an oval frame.
About this work
Technique & Style
Created by Samuel Cooper, the work dates to approximately 1655, aligning with the artist's active period in the mid-seventeenth century.
The Portrait of Thomas Hobbes is executed as a portrait miniature, a format characterized by small scale and refined detail. Created by Samuel Cooper, the work dates to approximately 1655, aligning with the artist's active period in the mid-seventeenth century. As a miniature, the piece likely employs water-based pigments applied to vellum or card, a standard medium for this genre during the era, though the specific support is not detailed in the available records.
The handling reflects the meticulous brushwork typical of Cooper's portraiture, focusing on capturing the sitter's likeness with precision within a compact field.
History & Provenance
Portrait of Thomas Hobbes is a painting dated to 1655, recorded as a portrait miniature in the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work is classified as a portrait and was created in the mid‑17th century; its inception is recorded as 1655‑00‑00 to 1660‑01‑01. Attribution to the English miniaturist Samuel Cooper is noted in one catalogue, while another source lists the artist as unknown.
The painting entered the museum’s collection at an undocumented date, and no earlier ownership records are provided in the available documentation.
The portrait miniature of Thomas Hobbes, attributed to Samuel Cooper and dated between 1655 and 1660, is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The institution assigns the work the accession number 1949.548. While the piece is confirmed as part of the museum's holdings, the available records do not list specific past exhibitions or loan history for this object.
Overview
This painted portrait depicts Thomas Hobbes, the English philosopher, within an oval frame. The artwork presents a distinguished male figure with gray, curly hair and a beard, dressed in a dark, patterned garment complemented by a white collar. A muted green background provides a subtle backdrop, allowing the viewer's focus to remain on the sitter's contemplative expression. The painting's edges are encased in a metal frame.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures Thomas Hobbes, a prominent intellectual figure, with an air of gravity and introspection. His serious, almost pensive expression suggests a mind engaged in deep thought, aligning with his reputation as a philosopher. The formal attire and composed posture convey a sense of dignity and intellectual authority, presenting a considered portrayal of the esteemed subject.
Artist & collection
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Portrait of a man
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Portrait of a Man- Portrait of Thomas Hobbes