Artwork
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man is an unspecified portrait miniature by the British Romanticist artist Nathaniel Plimer. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This portrait miniature depicts a man with powdered hair tied back with a dark ribbon, wearing a pale green coat and white cravat.
About this work
Overview
This portrait miniature depicts a man with powdered hair tied back with a dark ribbon, wearing a pale green coat and white cravat. The work is attributed to Nathaniel Plimer and dates to around 1795.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter's identity is unknown, but the portrait is likely paired with a female counterpart, as suggested by their identical frames and similar date. The pair may represent a married couple, although this cannot be confirmed.
Technique & Style
The artist employed delicate stippling for facial shadows and applied individual dots of paint to create the lower eyelashes, achieving a smooth, detailed representation without blending.
History & Provenance
The portrait is housed in an elaborate gold frame with braided hairwork, featuring a plait of brown hair at its center. The frame dates to the same period as the painting, and the hair used in the framing may be that of the sitter or their partner.
Artist & collection
