Portrait of a Gentleman
Unidentified
ca. 1845
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
1963.9.8
Tags
bust
About this artwork
In this miniature the sitterâs blue eyes and gentle facial features emphasize a calm composure and intelligence. His combed-over hairstyle reveals his forehead, suggesting his desire to be perceived as honest and intelligent. According to âphrenologists,â who examined the shapes of skulls, specific characteristics of a personâs nature were communicated through the features of the head.
About the Artist
Unidentified ( ) · –