A gentleman called Colonel McIntyre
by Anson Dickinson,
bearing an unrecorded trade card, circa 1811.

On February 16, 1811, Anson Dickinson placed a notice in the New York City Commercial Advertiser, "Mr. Dickinson informs his friends that he has re-commenced Miniature Painting, in the City Hotel, adjoining the Assembly Room."

Though Dickinson usually employed the dark background of this portrait earlier in his career, in addition to the advertisement, the rectangular format points to a post-1810 date. Furthermore, the City Hotel was described by a contemporary account as "the grandest and most important public house in New York City." By 1811, Dickinson had both the stature and the funds to retain studio space there.

Set in the original ebonized rectangular frame with gilt metal mount and acorn hanger. The reverse is set with the trade card. Included with the miniature is a paper with biographical information on Dickinson and a note stating that the sitter is "Col. McIntyre/ Revolutionary Soldier." Though incomplete, there is no listing for Colonel McIntyre in Dickinson's account book.

2 7/8 inches high.

During the first half of the 19th century, Anson Dickinson (1779-1852) was one of the most important miniaturists in America . A native of Litchfield, Connecticut, Dickinson was established as a miniaturist in Hartford by 1802 and in New York City by 1804. Itinerant by choice, between 1810 and 1846, Dickinson worked in New York, Albany, Charleston, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, New Haven, Litchfield, Buffalo and Montreal. His account book covers 48 years, documenting over 1500 miniatures. Dickinson's distinguished clientele included Edward Livingston (Metropolitan Museum of Art), General Jacob Brown, Washington Irving, General P. B. Porter, Sam Houston and Gilbert Stuart (New York Historical Society).

For a discussion of Dickinson's trade cards, see:
    Dearborn, Anson Dickinson; The Celebrated Miniature Painter, 1779-1852, pgs. 146-150.

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