Portrait of a Gentleman
ca. 1835
Medium
Painting-Miniature
Classification
Painting-Miniature
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Catherine Walden Myer Fund
Accession Number
1946.12.2
Tags
About this artwork
This was originally thought to be a portrait of Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney by an unknown artist. Research has proved this not to be the case, however, and the identity of the sitter is unknown. The work has been attributed to the artist John Alexander McDougall.
Art Historical Context
This delicate miniature portrait, titled *Portrait of a Gentleman* and attributed to John Alexander McDougall around 1835, captures the refined likeness of an unidentified sitter in a classic bust format. Crafted as a small-scale painting—likely on ivory, a favored medium for such works—the piece exemplifies the intimate artistry of 19th-century American miniatures. These portable treasures were cherished personal mementos, often worn as jewelry or kept close, reflecting the era's emphasis on individual identity amid a growing middle class. Initially mistaken for a depiction of Chief Justice ...
About the Artist
John Alexander McDougall · 1811–1894
1810/11–1894