Artwork
Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist William Verstille. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
No additional information regarding condition, stylistic handling, or specific formal qualities is documented in the available sources.
The work is executed in watercolor on ivory, a miniature format suited to intimate portraiture. Its dimensions are recorded as 4.1 by 3.1 centimeters, consistent with the small scale typical of ivory supports. The medium allows for fine, translucent handling, well matched to detailed facial features on the smooth ivory ground. No additional information regarding condition, stylistic handling, or specific formal qualities is documented in the available sources.
History & Provenance
The miniature portrait Portrait of a Gentleman by William Verstille is dated to 1795, as indicated by both the artist’s records and the Metropolitan Museum’s accession documentation. The work entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2006 as part of a gift, where it is currently held under accession number 2006.235.265. No documented commission records or early provenance details have been published; the first verifiable ownership appears with its acquisition by the museum in 2006.
Overview
Portrait of a Gentleman is a watercolor on ivory created by the American artist William Verstille around 1795. Active in prominent East Coast cities such as Boston, Philadelphia, and New York, Verstille specialized in portraiture. This miniature work depicts a man in a formal pose, characteristic of the era's personal keepsakes. It exemplifies the American folk art tradition through its direct portrayal and intimate scale.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a gentleman in a dark coat, gazes directly forward, his features softly illuminated. A bright white cravat stands out against the muted background, drawing attention to his face. Such small-scale portraits were often commissioned for personal use, intended to be easily carried or worn as a private memento, serving a similar function to modern-day photographs kept close by loved ones.
Context
William Verstille was a notable American portraitist who worked across major urban centers of the late 18th century. Although he passed away in 1803, his contributions to the genre of miniature portraiture are preserved. His works are held in significant institutional collections today, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, underscoring his enduring presence in American art history.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Verstille (c. 1757 – 1803) was an American artist who worked in Boston, Philadelphia and New York. He specialized in portraits. Examples of his artwork reside in the collections of the Harvard Art Museum,…
