Portrait of a Gentleman

Art Historical Context

Step into the refined world of early American portraitatures with *Portrait of a Gentleman* by Williams, a masterful watercolor on ivory measuring a diminutive 2 7/8 x 2 5/16 inches (7.3 x 5.9 cm). This work, now in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Wing, captures the poised likeness of an unidentified man, likely from the Federal period when such portraits were prized personal treasures. Henry Williams, a prominent Boston miniaturist active in the early 19th century, in this challenging medium. Watercolor on demanded exceptional precision—ivory's smooth surface provided a luminous glow, allow...