Fletcher Webster, Esq., Surveyor of Boston

About this work

This painting is a portrait of a man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a dark jacket over a white shirt. He is shown from the chest up, looking directly at the viewer. The man's attire and hairstyle suggest a formal or professional setting, possibly from the mid-19th century. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and dimensionality in the subject's face and clothing. The Cleveland Museum of Art holds this painting, which is a notable example of Realism and Impressionism. If you're interested in learning more about the artist's technique, you might want to look up chiaroscuro.