John Maunsell
ca. 1785
Medium
Watercolor on ivory
Dimensions
1 5/8 x 1 1/4 in. (4.1 x 3.2 cm)
Classification
Painting, miniature
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Alan W. Carrick, 1991
Accession Number
1991.90
Tags
About this artwork
This exquisite miniature portrait exemplifies the refined artistry of John Ramage, widely regarded as the finest portrait miniaturist working in late eighteenth-century America. Painted around 1785 in watercolor on ivory, this intimate likeness of John Maunsell demonstrates Ramage's distinctive technique of delicately shaded cross-hatching overlapped with fine linear strokes that skillfully model the sitter's features. Born in Ireland in 1748 and trained at the Dublin Society of Artists, Ramage ...
Art Historical Context
This exquisite miniature portrait of John Maell, painted around 1785 by John Ram, captures the refined artistry of America's premier portrait miniaturist in the late 18th century Born in Ireland in 1748 and trained the Dublin Society of Artists Ramage emigrated to North America, establishing himself as New York's leading miniaturist by 1777. His clientele boasted luminaries like George Washington, whom he created the first presidential portrait in 1789. At just 1 5/8 x 1 1/4 inches, this watercolor on ivory work exemplifies Ramage's skill in evoking a sitter's likeness and status within tiny d...
About the Artist
John Ramage · 1748–1842
Ireland ca. 1748–1802 Montreal