Brother-in-law of Mrs. Alexander Rose

Archibald Robertson, Brother-in-law of Mrs. Alexander Rose, ca. 1795, watercolor on ivory, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Catherine Walden Myer Fund, 1933.7.2
Copied Archibald Robertson, Brother-in-law of Mrs. Alexander Rose, ca. 1795, watercolor on ivory, sight 1 5⁄8 x 1 1⁄8 in. (4.0 x 3.0 cm) oval, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Catherine Walden Myer Fund, 1933.7.2
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Brother-in-law of Mrs. Alexander Rose
Artist
Date
ca. 1795
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sight 1 5⁄8 x 1 1⁄8 in. (4.0 x 3.0 cm) oval
Credit Line
Museum purchase through the Catherine Walden Myer Fund
Mediums
Mediums Description
watercolor on ivory
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — Rose, Alex., Mrs., Brother-in-Law of — bust
Object Number
1933.7.2
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1933.7.2

Artwork Description

Alexander Rose and his wife, the former Margaret Smith, both had their portraits painted in miniature by Pierre Henri, and both are in this collection [see 1946.11.6 and 1933.7.1]. Mrs. Rose’s father was a prominent New York Loyalist, Judge William Smith, and Margaret was his thirteenth child. This sitter may be the husband of one of Margaret’s sisters. The miniature was meant to be worn as part of a bracelet, and the pierced edges of the mount were used to attach the wristband much like today’s wristwatch. Conservation of this miniature was made possible through a generous grant provided by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee.