Robertson, Archibald - portrait of a man

Although the attribution is tentative, this miniature is thought to be by Archibald Robertson (1765-1835). The miniature is believed to have been painted in America, as it is housed in a front opening case which is more typical of American miniatures.

However, it also has hair and pearls on the reverse, which is often more characteristic of British miniatures. Thus for it to be by a British trained artist such as Archibald Robertson, who arrived in New York in 1791 and remained there for the rest of his life, seems to make the attribution a reasonable one.

The sitter is unknown. 429b