Portrait of a Gentleman

George Catlin, Portrait of a Gentleman, ca. 1830, watercolor on ivory, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Bernard N. Burnstine, 1946.1.1
George Catlin, Portrait of a Gentleman, ca. 1830, watercolor on ivory, sight 2 141 78 in. (5.74.8 cm) oval, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Bernard N. Burnstine, 1946.1.1
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Portrait of a Gentleman
Date
ca. 1830
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sight 2 141 78 in. (5.74.8 cm) oval
Credit Line
Gift of Bernard N. Burnstine
Mediums
Mediums Description
watercolor on ivory
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — unidentified — bust
Object Number
1946.1.1

Artwork Description

This miniature has been identified variously as a portrait of Stephen Fuller Austin, the pioneering Texan, or his brother James Brown Austin. Although the man’s features bear a resemblance to the Austins, there is no evidence that Catlin ever met the Texans, and as of this writing, it is not clear who this man is.

Works by this artist (3 items)

Eric Calvin McDonald, Tina Turner, 1988, tempera on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Jo C. Tartt, Jr., 1988.88.2
Tina Turner
Date1988
tempera on paper
Not on view
Comedian Tom Parks
Date1988
tempera on paper
Not on view