Clement Bonnell by Bonnell, William

William Bonnell's *Clement Bonnell*, painted around 1825, offers a direct visual record of an individual from early 19th-century America. This oil-on-wood portrait, housed in a private collection, beautifully captures the likeness of Clement du Mont Bonnell.

Look closely at Clement Bonnell's attire, particularly his ruffled cravat and the detailed buttons on his vest. These elements not only define his social standing but also provide a window into the fashion and conventions of the period.

William Bonnell, the artist, was active in the early 19th century and worked within the folk art tradition, as he did not receive formal training. This lack of formal training often contributes to the unembellished, direct quality seen in such portraits, making them intimate and authentic historical documents.

This painting preserves the image of a person from a bygone era, allowing us to connect with a face from nearly two centuries ago.