Artwork
Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman is a copper painting by the Rococo painting artist William Russell Birch. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2006.235.251
- Credit line
- Fletcher Fund, 2006
About this work
Technique & Style
The subject is depicted as a gentleman, consistent with the work's title and genre classification.
Created in 1794, this portrait utilizes enameled copper as its primary medium and support. The work is classified as a painting within the American Wing genre of portraiture. Physically, the piece is diminutive, measuring approximately 2.4 cm in height by 1.9 cm in width, consistent with the tradition of miniature enamel portraits.
The identification of the material confirms the use of enamel techniques on a metal base. The subject is depicted as a gentleman, consistent with the work's title and genre classification.
History & Provenance
The Portrait of a Gentleman was created in 1794 by the American artist William Russell Birch on enameled copper. The work is presently held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing collection. No earlier owners or transfer records are cited in the available sources, and the specific circumstances of its commission are not documented.
Consequently, the known provenance begins with its acquisition by the Met, while its dating and attribution to Birch are firmly established.
Overview
William Russell Birch, an English artist recognized for his miniature paintings and enamels, created Portrait of a Gentleman in 1794. This small-scale work, rendered in enameled copper, depicts a male subject in a dark coat, whose face is softly lit. The sitter looks directly forward, his features presented against a plain, dark background, reflecting elements of the Rococo style prevalent in portraiture of the period.
Context
This portrait was produced in America at a time when most commissioned likenesses were executed on fabric. Birch's selection of enameled copper for a formal portrait was a less conventional choice for the era and region. Its inclusion within the American Wing underscores its relevance to the development of art in the United States, illustrating a specific artistic practice and material preference during the late 18th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Russell Birch (9 April 1755 – 7 August 1834) was an English miniature painter, enameler, and landscape engraver and designer.
