Artwork

Portrait of a Man

Portrait of a Man, by John Neagle, oil, 1845
Portrait of a Man, by John Neagle, oil, 1845

Portrait of a Man is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist John Neagle. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.

About this work

The painting is called Portrait of a Man.
It was made by John Neagle in 1845 using oil paint. The fact that it's from this time period makes it interesting, as it can give us a glimpse into what life was like back then.
You can learn more about this style of painting by looking into the technique of glazing.

Overview

This oil painting, Portrait of a Man, was created by John Neagle in 1845. It is a representative work of Neagle's portraiture style.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a male figure, though the subject's identity is not specified. As a portrait from the mid-19th century, it offers insight into the appearance and attire of the time.

Technique & Style

Neagle worked within the American folk art tradition, characterized by straightforward and unpretentious representation. The use of oil paint allowed for techniques such as glazing, which can add depth and nuance to the work.

History & Provenance

The painting is now part of the Brooklyn Museum's collection. Created in 1845, it reflects the artistic practices and cultural values of that era.

Artist & collection

Portrait of John Neagle

Artist

John Neagle

John Neagle (November 4, 1796 – September 17, 1865) was a fashionable American painter, primarily of portraits, during the first half of the 19th century in Philadelphia.

Brooklyn Museum

Museum

Brooklyn Museum

Continue through works from the same source collection.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Brooklyn Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.