Archibald McCall 1755 - 1760

This miniature portrait, painted by John Hesselius in 1755-1760, depicts Archibald McCall. The work, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is an excellent example of the 18th-century American portrait miniature style, and is notable for its delicate brushstrokes and meticulous attention to detail. The sitter is shown in a blue coat with gold trim and a white lace cravat, common attire for gentlemen of the period. The small size of the work suggests it may have been intended for a personal locket or as a keepsake.