Artwork
Portrait of Stephen Reynolds
Portrait of Stephen Reynolds is an unspecified painting by the American Folk Art artist John Mix Stanley. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the Peabody Essex Museum.
About this work
The painting depicts an older man with white hair, dressed in a black jacket over a white shirt and black bow tie.
The painting depicts an older man with white hair, dressed in a black jacket over a white shirt and black bow tie. He sits in a red chair, with a bookshelf visible in the background.
The man's attire and the setting suggest a formal portrait, possibly from the 19th century. The artist has used a range of colors to create depth and contrast in the painting.
To learn more about the artist behind this portrait, explore the works of John Mix Stanley.
Overview
The Portrait of Stephen Reynolds is a 1848 painting by John Mix Stanley, an artist known for his landscapes and documentation of Native American life. It is a representative work of the American folk art movement, characterized by straightforward representation.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Stephen Reynolds, an older man, seated in a red chair with a bookshelf behind him. His formal attire, including a black jacket and bow tie, suggests a dignified subject.
Technique & Style
Stanley's use of color creates depth and contrast in the painting, with the red chair and black jacket standing out against the more subdued background. The overall effect is a straightforward, unidealized representation of the subject.
History & Provenance
The painting is now held in the collection of the Peabody Essex Museum, having been created by Stanley as part of his broader work documenting American life.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Mix Stanley (January 17, 1814 – April 10, 1872) was an artist-explorer, an American painter of landscapes, and Native American portraits and tribal life.
