Captain Christopher O'Connor
1806
Medium
Watercolor on paper
Dimensions
2 13/16 x 2 3/16 in. (7.1 x 5.6 cm)
Classification
Watercolor
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Erna Schnee, 1947
Accession Number
47.91.2
Tags
About this artwork
This work exemplifies the artistic traditions of American. Created 1806, it demonstrates the watercolor on paper technique characteristic of its era.
Art Historical Context
In the early 19th century, portraiture flourished as a means to honor individuals of prominence, and Thomas Birch's *Captain Christopher O'Connor* (1806) captures this tradition beautifully. This delicate watercolor on paper depicts the captain in profile, a classic pose evoking classical antiquity and emphasizing dignity and character. At just 2 13/16 x 2 3/16 inches, its miniature scale suggests it was likely a personal keepsake, perhaps worn as a locket or cherished in a private collection—common for naval officers during an era of expanding American maritime ambitions. Birch, a Philadelph...
About the Artist
Thomas Birch · 1779–1851
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