Abijah Flagg
SubjectPortrait of
Abijah Flagg
(1790 - 1842)
PainterPainted by
Unknown
Dateearly 1820's
MediumMiniature; watercolor on ivory in pinchbeck frame under plastic
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 2 7/16 x 2in. (6.2 x 5.1cm)
Frame (height x width x depth ): 3 x 2 5/16 x 1/8in. (7.6 x 5.8 x 0.4cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineGift of Houghton Bulkeley
Object number1958.43.0
DescriptionBust-length miniature portrait of a man with dark brown hair and brown eyes. The man is wearing a black cravat or stock, white shirt, white waistcoat, and black jacket. There is a pin on his waistcoat. The frame is metal and heavily molded with an opening on the backside and a loop at the top for suspension.
Label TextMiniature portraits were often housed under glass in finely crafted metal lockets or frames. Even relatively large miniatures, such as this one, which is slightly larger than the average locket, were worn as jewelry by their owners. The use of miniature portraits as jewelry embodies their function as highly personal keepsakes. The subject of this miniature is Abijah Flagg, a prominent cabinetmaker and magistrate who lived in Berlin and New Britain, Connecticut.
NotesDate Note: According to museum records, the miniature was painted in the early 1820s, but the reason is undocumented. The clothing the subject is wearing corroborates this date.(Ozzone 3/21/2013)Medium Note: Pinchbeck is an alloy of copper and zinc, used to imitate gold. (Ozzone 3/22/2013)
Status
Not on view
before 1845
