Unidentified, Portrait of a Gentleman, ca. 1790, watercolor on ivory, sight 2 5⁄8 x 2 1⁄8 in. (6.7 x 5.4 cm) oval, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1975.5
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Portrait of a Gentleman
- Artist
- Unidentified
- Date
- ca. 1790
- Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- sight 2 5⁄8 x 2 1⁄8 in. (6.7 x 5.4 cm) oval
- Credit Line
- Museum purchase
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- watercolor on ivory
- Subjects
- Portrait male — unidentified — bust
- Object Number
- 1975.5
Artwork Description
In this miniature the unknown artist concentrated on this sitter’s facial features, whereas the coat and cravat appear with less detail. During the reign of George III in England, powdered wigs and natural hair were worn in “pigtail queues” and men’s coats had a shawl-like cut at the collar. In the sitter’s portrait, remnants of hair powder appear on his collar and the bow in his hair, indicating that he followed the English fashion.
