Portrait of a Gentleman

Art Historical Context

Step into the intimate world of 19th-century miniature portraits with *Portrait of a Gentleman* by German artist Johann Carl Koch, in 1827. This exquisite watercolor on ivory, just 2 18 x 2 1/8 inches, captures the refined likeness of an unidentified sitter in a format designed for personal devotion—likely worn as a brooch, locket, or pendant. Koch, a skilled practitioner of this delicate art, renders fine details like fabric textures and subtle expressions with remarkable precision, evoking the's emphasis on individuality and sentiment. Watercolor on ivory was a prized medium for miniatures ...