Portrait of a Gentleman

Moses B. Russell, Portrait of a Gentleman, 1842, watercolor on ivory, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Catherine Walden Myer Fund, 1940.9.2
Copied Moses B. Russell, Portrait of a Gentleman, 1842, watercolor on ivory, 2 1⁄2 x 2 1⁄8 in. (6.4 x 5.3 cm) oval, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Catherine Walden Myer Fund, 1940.9.2
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Portrait of a Gentleman
Artist
Date
1842
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
2 1⁄2 x 2 1⁄8 in. (6.4 x 5.3 cm) oval
Credit Line
Museum purchase through the Catherine Walden Myer Fund
Mediums
Mediums Description
watercolor on ivory
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — unidentified — bust
Object Number
1940.9.2
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1940.9.2

Artwork Description

Moses B. Russell faithfully recorded the high cheekbones, huge gray eyes, and thick, wavy hair of this unidentified young man. As was the case of miniatures painted in this period, the painter gave all his effort to capturing the likeness of his sitter, subordinating the background and costume to the romanticized face.