Portrait of a Gentleman

John Alexander McDougall, Portrait of a Gentleman, 1839, watercolor on ivory, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Mary Elizabeth Spencer, 1999.27.25.2
John Alexander McDougall, Portrait of a Gentleman, 1839, watercolor on ivory, sight 2 x 1 7⁄8 in. (5.1 x 4.8 cm) oval, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Mary Elizabeth Spencer, 1999.27.25.2
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Portrait of a Gentleman
Artist
Date
1839
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sight 2 x 1 7⁄8 in. (5.1 x 4.8 cm) oval
Credit Line
Bequest of Mary Elizabeth Spencer
Mediums
Mediums Description
watercolor on ivory
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — unidentified — bust
Object Number
1999.27.25.2
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1999.27.25.2

Artwork Description

John Alexander McDougall painted these sitters, possibly a husband and wife, while he was in New Orleans in 1839. The artist used different backgrounds for each painting. The plain background of the gentleman’s portrait complements the blue of his eyes, while the dark trees surrounding the lady emphasize her pale complexion. Conservation of these miniatures was made possible through a generous grant provided by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee.

Works by this artist (2 items)

Douglas Bourgeois, Aretha: Mysterious Lady of Sorrows, 1981, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Peter Roussel Norman in memory of Joshua C. Taylor, 1982.39
Aretha: Mysterious Lady of Sorrows
Artist
Date1981
oil on canvas
Not on view
Douglas Bourgeois, Poet in Her Kitchen, 1982, oil on linen, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through funds provided by the Awards in the Visual Arts Program, 1982.11
Poet in Her Kitchen
Artist
Date1982
oil on linen
Not on view