Artwork
Monsieur de St. George
Monsieur de St. George is an unspecified painting by Mather Brown. It dates from 1806 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1806 by American expatriate Mather Brown, this oil portrait portrays a gentleman identified as Monsieur de St. George. The work resides in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and exemplifies Brown’s focus on portraiture during his long career in London.
Subject & Meaning
Monsieur de St. George is shown holding a violin, his gaze directed forward with a solemn demeanor. The inclusion of the instrument and a sheet of music suggests his involvement in the musical life of early‑19th‑century cultural circles.
Technique & Style
Executed in a restrained palette of muted tones, the painting emphasizes the sitter’s attire—a white cravat and dark coat—against a subdued backdrop. Brown’s handling of light and texture conveys the material quality of the clothing while keeping the focus on the figure and his violin.
History & Provenance
Brown, a Boston‑born artist who spent most of his professional life in England, exhibited the portrait at the Royal Academy. A later reproduction includes a label identifying the sitter and noting the original’s exhibition at the Academy. The painting eventually entered the Metropolitan Museum’s holdings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mather Brown (baptized 11 October 1761 – 25 May 1831) was an American painter who was born in Boston, Massachusetts and was active in England.
