Self-Portrait
Medium
watercolor on ivory in a gold frame
Dimensions
unframed: 6.9 × 5.4 cm · framed: 7 × 5.7 cm
Classification
Portrait Miniature
Department
Modern European Painting and Sculpture
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
The Edward B. Greene Collection
Accession Number
1952.95
Tags
About this artwork
This self-portrait depicts the artist’s almost full face with blue-gray eyes; gray, curly hair and sideburns; and a ruddy complexion. In spite of the fact that it was no longer in fashion, the powder on his collar indicates that even in 1802 John Smart continued to powder his hair. He wears a dark blue coat with brass buttons; white stock collar, bow, and frill; and deep yellow waistcoat. Arthur Jaffé has argued that the yellow waistcoat also seen in Smart’s portrait in the National Gallery, Lon...