Self-portrait

Art Historical Context

This charming self-portrait by Joseph Wood, created around 1810, captures the artist in a moment of quiet introspection. Executed in watercolor on ivory and measuring just four by three inches, the work belongs to the tradition of American miniature portraiture that flourished in the early republic. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum’s American Wing, it reflects the intimate scale and personal nature of such pieces, which were often created as keepsakes or tokens of friendship. The medium of watercolor on ivory was especially suited to delicate detail and luminous effects, allowing artists to achieve subtle modeling and rich color within a tiny format. Miniatures like this one were typically worn in lockets or carried in pockets, blending artistic skill with everyday sentiment. As an American work from the Federal era, Wood’s self-portrait speaks to the growing confidence of native-born artists establishing their own visual language. Acquired by the museum through the generous gift of Mrs. John R. Wadleigh in 1993, the portrait continues to offer visitors a direct connection to the personal and professional world of an early nineteenth-century American painter.

About the Artist

Joseph Wood · 1778–1830

1778–1830