England, late 18th century / c. 1795–1800
Portrait of a Man
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Portrait of a Man as portrait miniature (England, late 18th century · c. 1795–1800).
The back contains a lock of hair arranged as a wheat sheaf cinched with a gold ribbon, over (now cracked) white opalescent glass.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this portrait miniature as watercolor on ivory in a gold frame with glazed hair reverse and opalescent glass over pressed foil and cut gold (or cut paper) and credits Nicholas Freese (British, 1762–after 1824).
The museum's collection notes: Little biographical information is available about Nicholas Freese, who is often referred to as N Freese. He exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy from 1794 to 1814. Royal Academy records identify him as a “painter” rather than a “miniature painter.” The unknown gentleman in this portrait is painted bust length in three-quarter view and facing right. He wears a blue coat with gold buttons over a white waistcoat and frilled cravat. His eyes are brown, and his powdered hair is worn en queue . There is a slightly yellow pallor to his complexion, and his nose is aquiline. The background is pale gray with a hint of green, executed with crosshat
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtPortrait of a ManOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.