Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792)
1792
Medium
Enamel
Dimensions
Oval, 4 x 3 1/8 in. (101 x 80 mm)
Classification
Miniatures
Department
European Paintings
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Collection of Giovanni P. Morosini, presented by his daughter Giulia, 1932
Accession Number
32.75.8
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite enamel miniature portrays Sir Joshua Reynolds (172–1792), the celebrated English portraitist and founding president of the Royal Academy Arts. Created by Thomas Peat in 1792—the very year of Reynolds' death—this oval portrait (4 x 3 1/8 in.) captures the artist's dignified likeness in a format ideal for personal devotion or jewelry. Peat, a skilled enameler, renders Reynolds with fine detail, highlighting his role as a pillar of British art during the Enlightenment era. Enamel miniatures like this one were prized in the late 18th century for their luminous, durable quality. The...