Anthony Bleecker 1810

This miniature portrait of Anthony Bleecker, painted in 1810 by the American artist Joseph Wood, is a small but striking example of early 19th-century portraiture. The painting is characterized by its delicate detail and realistic depiction of the sitter, who is portrayed in a formal pose wearing a dark coat and white cravat. The sitter's piercing gaze and the subtle play of light and shadow on his face contribute to the work's sense of realism. The miniature format was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, and it was often used to capture the likenesses of individuals for personal keepsakes or for inclusion in family portraits. This miniature is now part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.