Artwork
Sir Casper Purdon Clarke
Sir Casper Purdon Clarke is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Wilhelm Heinrich Funk. It dates from 1906 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Sir Caspar Purdon Clarke, an art museum director and curator active in late 19th- and early 20th-century Britain and the United States.
The portrait depicts Sir Caspar Purdon Clarke, an art museum director and curator active in late 19th- and early 20th-century Britain and the United States. Painted in 1906 by Wilhelm Heinrich Funk, the work presents Clarke as its sole subject in a straightforward likeness typical of portraiture of the period. The painting's iconography centers on the sitter's identity and professional standing, with no overt allegorical symbols or narrative elements included.
Instead, the work functions primarily as a commemorative representation of Clarke himself, capturing his appearance at a moment when he was recognized as a significant figure in art institutional leadership.
Technique & Style
Sir Caspar Purdon Clarke is the subject of a portrait executed in oil paint on canvas by Wilhelm Heinrich Funk in 1906. The work measures 63.6 cm in height and 53.5 cm in width, adhering to traditional portrait dimensions of the early 20th century. As an oil-on-canvas painting, the piece relies on the medium's capacity for rich texture and detail typical of formal portraiture.
The artwork is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it resides in museum storage.
History & Provenance
Wilhelm Heinrich Funk executed this oil-on-canvas portrait of Sir Caspar Purdon Clarke in 1906. The work measures 63.6 cm in height and 53.5 cm in width. It was created as a depiction of Clarke, who served as a prominent figure in the art world.
Following its completion, the painting entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains part of the institutional holdings. While specific details regarding the original commission or intermediate ownership transfers are not provided in the available records, the work's inception is firmly established at 1906. The portrait currently resides in museum storage.
Overview
Wilhelm Heinrich Funk's oil painting, "Sir Casper Purdon Clarke," was completed in 1906. This portrait captures the likeness of Caspar Purdon Clarke, presenting him with a dignified demeanor. The artwork is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it offers a glimpse into early 20th-century portraiture.
Artist & collection
