Artwork
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man is an unspecified portrait miniature by the Rococo painting artist Thomas Hazlehurst. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Thomas Hazelhurst’s miniature portrait, dated to around 1780, depicts a gentleman rendered in a realistic manner.
About this work
Overview
Thomas Hazelhurst’s miniature portrait, dated to around 1780, depicts a gentleman rendered in a realistic manner. The work measures modestly, as typical for portrait miniatures, and is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Its composition places the sitter against a simple sky backdrop, with a muted brown area framing the left side of the picture.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is presented with short, tightly curled white hair, clear blue eyes, and a composed, serious expression. He wears a dark blue coat fastened with gold buttons, a crisp white shirt, and a white cravat, suggesting a gentleman of some standing. The careful rendering of his rosy cheeks and attentive gaze conveys a sense of personal dignity and social presence.
Technique & Style
Hazelhurst employs a finely detailed, realistic approach characteristic of late‑18th‑century miniature painting. The artist captures the texture of the coat’s fabric, the sheen of the gold buttons, and the subtle play of light on the hair and skin. The background’s blue sky and subdued brown field are rendered with minimal brushwork, allowing the figure to dominate the visual field.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1780, the miniature entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition (specific acquisition details are not recorded in the source). Its presence in the museum’s collection reflects the institution’s broader interest in British portraiture of the Georgian period, offering insight into the era’s personal and artistic conventions.
Artist & collection
