James O. Owens
1832
Medium
Watercolor on ivory
Dimensions
2 5/16 x 1 7/8 in. (5.9 x 4.8 cm)
Classification
Painting, miniature
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Dale T. Johnson Fund, 2006
Accession Number
2006.235.53
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate miniature portrait of James O. Owens was created by John Wood Dodge in 1832 using watercolor ivory. Measuring just 2 5/16 by 1 7/8 inches, the work belongs to a long tradition of intimate American portraiture designed for personal keepsakes rather than public display. Watercolor on ivory allowed artists to achieve luminous, finely detailed effects on a tiny scale, making these portraits ideal for lockets, cases, or private contemplation. In the early nineteenth century, such miniatures served as treasured mementos of family members or friends, capturing likenesses with remarkable precision despite their modest size. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum’s American Wing, Dodge’s portrait reflects the refined taste and technical skill of early American miniaturists. It offers today’s viewers a quiet window into the personal lives and artistic customs of the young republic.
About the Artist
John Wood Dodge · 1807–1893
1807–1893