Cameo 1835

"Cameo" is a portrait miniature carved in shell by American artist George W. Jamison in 1835. It features a profile portrait of an unknown man in a white shirt and a black jacket, enclosed in a gold frame ornamented with a foliate design and the inscription "THE UNION." Now held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the cameo's small size is typical of this type of artwork, which was often used as jewelry. The intricate detail of the carving showcases Jamison's talent as a miniaturist, capturing a sense of realism and elegance in the subject's features.