Artwork
David Howe
David Howe is a watercolor painting by the Romanticist artist Samuel Wallin. It dates from 1839 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This miniature watercolor portrait, titled David Howe, was created by Samuel Wallin in 1839. Rendered on ivory, it presents a man in profile, his features subtly defined against a neutral background. The work exemplifies the delicate artistry employed for personal keepsakes during the early 19th century.
Subject & Meaning
Samuel Wallin's portrait captures David Howe in a dignified profile view. The sitter's dark hair and crisp white collar stand out against a soft gray ground, drawing attention to his facial contours. Such intimate depictions served as cherished personal mementos, offering a lasting visual record of individuals before the widespread advent of photographic imagery.
Technique & Style
The smooth, luminous surface of the ivory allowed the watercolor pigments to achieve a delicate translucency, mimicking the subtle glow of skin.
Executed in watercolor on a small piece of ivory, this portrait showcases a refined technique. The smooth, luminous surface of the ivory allowed the watercolor pigments to achieve a delicate translucency, mimicking the subtle glow of skin. Artists often employed thin, transparent washes, a method akin to glazing, to build depth and create the soft, ethereal quality characteristic of these miniature works.
Context
Before the proliferation of photography, miniature portraits like David Howe served as important personal keepsakes. These small, portable artworks allowed individuals to carry or display images of loved ones, functioning as cherished mementos or tokens of affection. Their intimate scale and delicate execution made them particularly suitable for private contemplation and display within domestic settings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Samuel Wallin painted small, delicate watercolors on ivory—not canvas or paper. In our collection, you’ll find *David Howe* and *Mrs. David Howe (Sarah Whitney)*, tiny portraits where each brushstroke captures lace,…
