Portrait of a Gentleman
1822
Medium
Watercolor on ivory
Dimensions
5.9 × 4.5 cm (2 5/16 × 1 3/4 in.); Framed: 7.8 × 5.2 cm (3 1/16 × 2 1/16 in.)
Classification
miniature painting
Department
Painting and Sculpture of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
11704
Art Historical Context
Painted in 1822 by T. Wheeler, this delicate miniature offers a glimpse into early nineteenth-century portraiture. Measuring just under six centimeters tall, the work belongs to a long tradition of intimate likenesses created for private enjoyment. Such portraits were often exchanged as tokens of friendship, affection, or remembrance, tucked into lockets or small cases that could be carried close to the heart. The choice of watercolor on ivory highlights the artist’s technical skill. Ivory’s smooth, luminous surface allows watercolor to achieve subtle gradations and a soft glow impossible on ...