William Henry Tallmadge 1841

Edward S. Dodge painted this miniature portrait of William Henry Tallmadge in the United States, most likely during the 1840s or 50s. Miniatures like this one were often worn as jewelry or kept as keepsakes. The sitter’s formal attire speaks to the values of bourgeois society at the time. Note the carefully knotted bow tie, the dark jacket, and the fashionable hairstyle. But this portrait is also telling in its divergence from traditional depictions of masculinity. Tallmadge's soft features and gentle gaze signal new ideals of sentiment and sensibility. These competing social codes are interesting to consider alongside the history of American portraiture. Artists were attempting to create something new, while also participating in established traditions of representation and display. To fully understand this moment, scholars might consult etiquette manuals, fashion plates, and domestic advice books, all of which offer insight into the social values of the time.