Joseph Anthony Jr.
Original title: Joseph Anthony Jr.
kurzbeschreibung
Gray hair, a dark blue coat and a white neckcloth define this portrait of Joseph Anthony Jr., which Gilbert Stuart painted in oil on canvas around 1795–98. The merchant appears at bust length, with a red drape and a patch of landscape spreading out behind him.
Description
A gray-haired man looks out from the canvas, wearing a dark blue coat with gold-colored buttons and a white neckcloth. Behind his head and shoulders hangs a red cloth, and beside it opens a glimpse of landscape and cloud. The arrangement pushes the upper body to the fore, while the light gathers in the face and draws out its features.
Context
Stuart was among the most sought-after portraitists of the young United States and painted many well-known figures of his era. His sitters in the 1790s included Joseph Anthony Jr., a Philadelphia merchant. Stuart made this portrait in his Philadelphia studio after returning from London and Ireland.
Impact
A quiet elegance radiates from the portrait, the kind characteristic of neoclassical portraiture. Because the dark garment stands against the lighter background, the eye settles on the face; dignity and composure become palpable.
Technique
The portrait is executed in oil on canvas, as was usual for eighteenth-century likenesses. With fine brushwork and muted colors, Stuart achieved a rendering that stays realistic and at the same time looks idealized.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)