Portrait of an Officer
Medium
Ivory
Dimensions
Oval, 2 5/8 x 2 1/8 in. (67 x 55 mm)
Classification
Miniatures
Department
European Paintings
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Millie Bruhl Fredrick, 1962
Accession Number
62.122.106
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate miniature portrait, titled "Portrait of an Officer," captures the likeness of a military figure in an intimate oval format measuring just 2 5/8 by 2 1/8 inches. Created by artist Andrew Dunn on ivory, the work belongs to the longstanding European tradition of small-scale portraiture designed for personal keepsakes. Such pieces were often carried in pockets, set into lockets, or displayed in private settings, offering a glimpse into the sitter’s status and identity. Miniatures on ivory gained prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries for their luminous quality and fine detail, al...