Portrait of a Man

John Plumbe Jr.

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a man seated in a formal posture with his left arm resting on an upholstered armrest. He gazes directly at the camera with a calm yet attentive expression. His facial features include deep-set eyes, a broad nose, and lips that are closed in a neutral line. His hair is short, slightly curled, and neatly styled. He is dressed in a suit comprising a dark jacket over a plaid vest and a white shirt underneath, complemented by a light-colored bow tie. He wears a ring on his left hand's pinky finger. The backdrop is plain, focusing attention on the subject within a case featuring a maroon and gold border.