Portrait of a Gentleman 1799

This miniature portrait of a gentleman, painted in 1799 by James Peale, is a fine example of the artist's skillful work in the genre of portraiture. Executed in watercolor on ivory, the painting depicts an unidentified man in a formal pose, wearing a dark coat and white cravat, with his hair styled in a fashionable manner of the late 18th century. The small size and intimate scale of the miniature suggest that it was likely intended as a personal memento or keepsake for a loved one. The work is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.