Unidentified Gentleman
This oval portrait of an unknown sitter is one for only a few relief compositions that Ball executed during his long career. The middle-aged and bearded sitter, who appears in contemporary dress, was most likely one of many visitors to the Villa Ball in Florence. So far it has not been possible to match the face to a name recorded in Ball’s guest book (Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.).
Artwork Details
- Title: Unidentified Gentleman
- Artist: Thomas Ball (American, Charlestown, Massachusetts 1819–1911 Montclair, New Jersey)
- Date: 1890
- Culture: American
- Medium: Marble
- Dimensions: 21 x 17 in. (53.3 x 43.2 cm)
- Credit Line: Gift of Enrique Foster Gittes, 1978
- Object Number: 1978.511
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.