Man with Folded Arms

Dateca. 1835

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsUnframed: 32 1/2 x 28 1/4in. (82.6 x 71.8cm) and Framed: 39 1/2 x 32 1/4in.

Credit LineGift of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller

Object number1941.100.3

DescriptionOil portrait of man seated on Empire sofa viewed in half-length. Sofa is black upholstered with brass tacks. Background is dark brown, and there is a red drapery visible in upper right corner. Man is leaning against right arm of sofa, slightly turned to his left, and looking out at viewer with very haughty expression. He wears a black coat, with fairly high collar with lapels, a white shirt is visible underneath with white neckcloth tied in square knot, and high white collar points touching chin. His arms are crossed in his lap and a metal watch fob (?) is visible below his right elbow. His brown hair is brushed short and forward over his forehead, and his brown sideburns end halfway down his ears. He has the same eyelashless appearing eyes that his wife has with arched eyebrows.
Label TextNineteenth century frames, like furniture were also painted to resenble more expensive woods. The period replacement frames on these companion portraits are loosely painted in orange and brown, probably to resemble mahogany. Here, the paint seems to have been applied very quickly with a large brush. The portrait painter's convincing rendering of fabric folds and varied textures together with the fine delineation of his subjects' faces and hands indicate that he possessed a degree of proficiency not generally associated with folk artists.
ProvenanceUndetermined. Given to C. W. by Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.