Portrait of a Gentleman 1787 - 1844

This miniature portrait was painted by Nathaniel Rogers in the United States, at a time when the nation was beginning to define its own artistic and cultural identity. Rogers was a prominent figure in the development of American portraiture, working within the context of a growing art market and the rise of a middle class eager to emulate the symbols of status associated with the European aristocracy. In this portrait, we see a gentleman dressed in the fashion of the time, with a high collar and dark coat. The small scale of the work suggests it was intended for private use, perhaps as a memento of family connection. In terms of social conditions, the portrait reflects the values of early 19th-century American society, where the ideals of gentility and respectability were highly prized. Institutional histories, such as those of art academies and professional organizations, are essential resources for understanding the context in which Rogers worked and how his art both reflected and shaped the values of his time.