Portrait of a Man, Said to Be Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859) 1810 - 1820

This miniature portrait, created by an anonymous artist sometime between 1810 and 1820, depicts Alexander von Humboldt, a prominent German naturalist and explorer. The artwork is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The small oval canvas, measuring only 2 1/2 x 2 inches, captures Humboldt's likeness with a level of detail that belies its diminutive size. The portrait showcases Humboldt's discerning gaze, suggesting a man of great intellect and curiosity, qualities that made him a leading figure in the scientific community of the early 19th century.