Smithsonian American Art Museum
Portrait of a Gentleman
Unidentified · ca. 1845
In this miniature the sitter’s blue eyes and gentle facial features emphasize a calm composure and intelligence. His combed-over hairstyle reveals his forehead, suggesting his desire to be perceived as honest and intelligent. According to “phrenologists,” who examined the shapes of skulls, specific characteristics of a person’s nature were communicated through the features of the head.
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