Artwork
Daniel Webster
Daniel Webster is a copper painting by the American Folk Art artist William Russell Birch. It dates from 1833 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The portrait thus serves both as a record of Webster’s likeness and as a symbolic representation of the intellectual and civic ideals he embodied.
The painting presents Daniel Webster, a leading American orator and statesman of the early nineteenth century, in a formal pose that emphasizes his political authority. Rendered in enamel on copper by William Russell Birch in 1833, the work belongs to the portrait genre and is catalogued in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Wing. By concentrating on Webster’s dignified expression and the restrained composition, the image functions as a visual emblem of the era’s reverence for educated leadership and public service.
The portrait thus serves both as a record of Webster’s likeness and as a symbolic representation of the intellectual and civic ideals he embodied.
Technique & Style
Created in 1833 by William Russell Birch, this portrait of Daniel Webster is executed in enamel on a copper support. The work is characterized by its diminutive scale, measuring approximately 3.3 by 2.7 units. As a painted enamel, the piece involves the application of vitreous enamel pigments to a metal base, a technique requiring precise handling and firing.
The resulting surface typically exhibits a smooth, glossy finish distinct from oil on canvas. Classified as a portrait within the American Wing genre, the composition focuses entirely on the likeness of the statesman. The small dimensions suggest an intimate viewing experience, consistent with the detailed nature of enamel portraiture from this period.
History & Provenance
The work titled 'Daniel Webster' was executed in 1833 by American artist William Russell Birch as an enamel-on-copper portrait. It was created to depict the American statesman Daniel Webster and later entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as accession number 95.14.116 and displayed in The American Wing. The painting’s provenance traces from its execution by Birch in the early 1830s to its acquisition by the Met, which now holds it in its permanent collection. Its dimensions are approximately 3.3 × 2.7 units, confirming its status as a portrait genre work.
The enamel portrait Daniel Webster (1833) by William Russell Birch is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is part of the American Wing’s collection. The work is accessioned under the number 95.14.116. Measuring 3.3 by 2.7 inches, the piece has been cataloged as a portrait and depicts the American statesman Daniel Webster.
While its exhibition history beyond its permanent display at the Met is not extensively documented in the available sources, its inclusion in the museum’s holdings ensures its accessibility for scholarly and public viewing.
Context
William Russell Birch's 1833 enamel portrait of Daniel Webster, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, exemplifies early American portrait miniatures rendered in enamel on copper. The work, catalogued as accession 95.14.116, reflects the tradition of elite political sitters and the artist's specialization in small-scale, highly finished likenesses. Scholarship on the piece emphasizes its technical precision and its role within the broader corpus of early 19th‑century American portraiture, situating Birch among the pioneers of miniature painting in the United States.
Its inclusion in the museum’s collection underscores the painting’s significance as a representative example of period portrait genre.
Overview
This miniature portrait depicts Daniel Webster, rendered with a quiet precision. The subject is shown in a dark coat and a white cravat, his features gently illuminated against an unadorned backdrop. Executed in enamel on copper, the artwork is notably small, measuring less than a postcard. This choice of medium contributes to its unique visual character, presenting a refined and intimate depiction.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Russell Birch (9 April 1755 – 7 August 1834) was an English miniature painter, enameler, and landscape engraver and designer.
