Portrait of a Gentleman

ca. 1775
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 774
Although this picture and its companion (26.129.2) are unsigned, they are firmly attributed by Peale authorities to the artist and dated around 1775. The identity of the sitters is not known. The works do not appear on Peale's own list of his early works, which includes sizes and prices, making it likely that they were painted as gifts for close friends or family members. The sitter resembles Nathaniel Ramsay (1741–1817), husband of Peale's sister Margaret Jane, but could also be his brother-in-law, Robert Polk (1744–1777).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Portrait of a Gentleman
  • Artist: Charles Willson Peale (American, Chester, Maryland 1741–1827 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
  • Date: ca. 1775
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 9 3/4 x 7 7/8 in. (24.8 x 20 cm)
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1926
  • Object Number: 26.129.1
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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