Jonathan Jones WheelerRaphaelle Peale · 1812

Identification of the Portrait of Jonathan Jones Wheeler

This portrait, titled Jonathan Jones Wheeler, was painted by Raphaelle Peale in 1812. Created in the United States, the work belongs to the genre of portraiture. It offers a focused study of an individual, captured during a period when the artist was establishing his presence in the American artistic landscape.

In this piece, Raphaelle Peale turns his attention to the likeness of Jonathan Jones Wheeler. The painting serves as a quiet record of the subject, presented with the precision characteristic of the artist's hand. It remains a significant example of early nineteenth-century American portraiture, reflecting the specific visual language of its time and place.

Composition and Visual Elements of the Work

The composition is defined by a quiet, centered intimacy. The subject is positioned facing forward, dominating the interior of an oval frame that rests against a dark, black background. This arrangement focuses the viewer's attention entirely on the man's likeness, creating a sense of historical significance through its compact, focused structure. The scale is small, yet the presence of the figure is substantial within the frame.

Soft, diffused lighting washes over the subject, highlighting the contours of the face and the subtle folds of his formal attire. Precise lines define the edges of the clothing and the structure of the face, providing a clear sense of form. The color palette remains restrained, dominated by deep, dark tones of black and grey. These shadows work in tandem with the highlights to create a sculptural quality, lending a sense of weight to the miniature portrait.

Technical Details and Physical Dimensions

This painting is a work of significant intimacy, executed through the delicate technique of miniature painting. Such a method requires a steady hand and a disciplined approach to detail, allowing the artist to capture a likeness within a very restricted space. The scale is notably small, designed for close, private inspection rather than distant viewing.

The physical presence of the piece is quite modest. It measures 5.7 cm in height and 4.4 cm in width, though its outer dimensions are recorded as 6 x 5 cm. This compact format emphasizes the personal nature of the portrait, making it a quiet object of study. The work was created in 1812.

Current Location and Collection Information

This portrait is held within the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. It remains a preserved part of their holdings, cataloged under the accession number 1981.35. The piece is maintained within this museum environment, where its historical context is preserved alongside other significant works from the period.

For those interested in the specific archival details, the work is identified by the Smithsonian American Art Museum artwork ID 19317. It is a physical object of significant historical interest, kept within the institution's curated care. The provenance and placement of this work ensure its continued presence in the public record of American art history.