Artwork
James G. McKinney
James G. McKinney is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist Matthew Harris Jouett. It dates from 1813 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
To learn more about the artist behind this work, explore the portfolio of Matthew Harris Jouett (American, 1787/88–1827).
This portrait features a man with dark, wavy hair and a serious expression. He is dressed in a black jacket over a white shirt with a high collar and a white bow tie. The background is a solid brown color.
The subject's attire and hairstyle suggest a formal setting, likely from the early 19th century. The artist's use of oil paint creates a sense of depth and texture in the image.
To learn more about the artist behind this work, explore the portfolio of Matthew Harris Jouett (American, 1787/88–1827).
Overview
Created in 1813, this oil portrait by Matthew Harris Jouett depicts James G. McKinney, a gentleman of the early nineteenth century. The composition presents the sitter in a plain, unadorned manner typical of American folk portraiture of the period. The work resides in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is shown with dark, wavy hair and a solemn expression, dressed in a black jacket, white high‑collared shirt, and a white bow tie. The attire and hairstyle indicate a formal, possibly civic, setting, reflecting the social status and propriety expected of a man of his standing in the early 1800s.
Technique & Style
Jouett employed oil paint to render subtle modeling of facial features and the texture of the clothing, achieving a modest sense of depth within the flat brown background. The brushwork remains restrained, emphasizing clarity of form over decorative detail, aligning the piece with the straightforward aesthetic of early American folk portraiture.
History & Provenance
Matthew Harris Jouett (1787/88–1827) was a noted portraitist who painted several prominent figures, including Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette. This particular portrait entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition (date unspecified), where it continues to serve as an example of the artist’s work beyond his more famous commissions.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Matthew Harris Jouett (Mercer County, Kentucky, 22 April 1788 – Lexington, Kentucky, 10 August 1827) was a noted American portrait painter, famous for painting portraits including Thomas Jefferson, George Rogers Clark and Lafayette.
