Portrait of a Man, Said to Be James Madison (1751–1836)
Medium
Ivory
Dimensions
Oval, 2 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (65 x 56 mm)
Classification
Miniatures
Department
European Paintings
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Moses Lazarus Collection, Gift of Josephine and Sarah Lazarus, in memory of their father, 1888–95
Accession Number
95.14.94
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite ivory miniature, *Portrait of a Man, to Be James Madison (1–1836)*, captures the poised likeness of the fourth U.S. President in an intimate oval format measuring 2½ x 2¼ inches. Painted in 1795 by Annibal Loutherbourg, a artist known for his detailed works, it belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection of European Paintings, gifted in 1888–95 from the Moses Lazarus Collection. Miniatures like this were cherished in the late 18th century as treasures—often worn as lockets or brooches—allowing sitters to carry a loved one's image close. The use of ivory as a medium h...