Student Artwork Guide — Untitled (D2X2EM)

Name Class Date

ezra ames, Untitled (D2X2EM) (1820). Public domain.

The facts

Artist: ezra ames artsdot.com/en/artists/ezra-ames/
Artist’s dates: 1768 – 1836
Painted: 1820
Original size: 8 x 6 cm
Movement: Neoclassicism A deliberate return to the calm balance and clear outlines of ancient Greek and Roman art.

Copyright This work is in the public domain. ezra ames died in 1836; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1906.

Untitled (D2X2EM) — ezra ames

How big is it?

The original measures 8 × 6 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

1760
1770
1780
1790
1800
1810
1820
1830

Shaded: the lifetime of ezra ames (1768–1836) ▲ this work, 1820

Compare with

Elkanah Watson (1758-1842), 1809 artsdot.com/en/art/ezra-ames-elkanah-watson-1758-1842-D4HVQ3-en/
Spencer Stafford (1772-1844), 1807 artsdot.com/en/art/ezra-ames-spencer-stafford-1772-1844-D4HVQJ-en/
Peter Van Vechten Memorial, 1800 artsdot.com/en/art/ezra-ames-peter-van-vechten-memorial-D4HVRN-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/ezra-ames-untitled-d2x2em-D2X2EM-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

Main colour

Phthalo Green #151519

Catalogued palette

#151519
#A39B97
#705C4E
#38332F

Palette: Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
Main colour name: Phthalo Green
Intensity: Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
Contrast: Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
Harmony: Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
Brightness: Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
Saturation: Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

Artist

ezra ames

Born in Framingham, United States of America

biography of ezra ames, a noted artist from the united states (1768-1836)

ezra ames, a prominent portrait painter in albany, new york, during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, left an indelible mark on american art. born on may 5, 1768, in framingham, massachusetts, ames' life is a testament to his prolific career, with over 700 attributed portraits.

early life and career

ames moved to worcester, massachusetts, in 1790, and married zipporah wood in 1794. his relocation to albany, new york, marked the beginning of his successful portrait painting career. notably, he painted prominent figures such as governor george clinton and alexander hamilton.

artistic style and contributions

ezra ames's work had a popular appeal, characterized by its sure and fluent ease of brush, keen characterization, and pure, fresh coloring.

his portrait of governor george clinton, exhibited at the pennsylvania academy in 1812, garnered wide notice.

ames was skilled at engraving and painted many members of the new york state legislature.

notable works and legacy

the chautauqan magazine described ames as "the most noted portraitist in the state, outside new york city."

ames served as chairman of the fine arts committee of the society for the promotion of useful arts in 1805.

he was posthumously elected an honorary member of the american academy of fine arts in new york city.

later life and death

ames died on february 23, 1836, and is buried at the albany rural cemetery (lot 1 section 59). his legacy continues to be celebrated through his numerous portraits, which remain a testament to his skill and contribution to american art. view more of ezra ames' works on AllPaintingsStore: [https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/ezraames](https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/ezraames) | /en/art/show/art-8xyffg-en/ explore more american artists on AllPaintingsStore: [https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/james-presley-smith](https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/james-presley-smith) | [https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/henry-call](https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/henry-call) discover the world of art on AllPaintingsStore: /en/art/list/ | /en/art/list/

Where to read more

The artist ezra ames artsdot.com/en/artists/ezra-ames/
Similar works More works to compare artsdot.com/en/art/similar/ezra-ames-untitled-d2x2em-D2X2EM-en/
Article 18th Century Masters: 10 Artworks That Define an Era artsdot.com/en/articles/18th-century-masters-10-artworks-that-define-an-era-en/
Article American Realism's Defining Works: 10 Masterpieces for Your Home artsdot.com/en/articles/american-realism-s-defining-works-10-masterpieces-for-your-home-en/
Article Charles Willson Peale: Portraiture, Enlightenment Ideals & Shaping American Identity artsdot.com/en/articles/charles-willson-peale-portraiture-enlightenment-ideals-shaping-american-identity-en/
Article The Unvarnished Truth: A Cultural Journey Through the Soul of American Realism artsdot.com/en/articles/ti-misc-the-unvarnished-truth-a-cultural-journey-through-the-soul-of-american-realism-en/

Find this online

QR code linking to the download page for Untitled (D2X2EM)

artsdot.com/en/art/download/ezra-ames-untitled-d2x2em-D2X2EM-en/

Cite this artwork

MLA: ames, ezra. Untitled (D2X2EM). 1820, https://artsdot.com/en/art/ezra-ames-untitled-d2x2em-D2X2EM-en/
APA: ames, ezra (1820). Untitled (D2X2EM) [Painting]. https://artsdot.com/en/art/ezra-ames-untitled-d2x2em-D2X2EM-en/
Chicago: ezra ames. Untitled (D2X2EM). 1820. https://artsdot.com/en/art/ezra-ames-untitled-d2x2em-D2X2EM-en/
Harvard: ames, ezra (1820) Untitled (D2X2EM). Available at: https://artsdot.com/en/art/ezra-ames-untitled-d2x2em-D2X2EM-en/

Untitled (D2X2EM) — ezra ames

Look closely

Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

What catches your eye first, and why?
Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
How many faces can you find? ____ (our catalogue counts 1 — do you agree?)
Our catalogue files this work under: portrait, miniature art, 18th century. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
Look back at Elkanah Watson (1758-1842) (1809), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.

Your response

Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.