# Portrait of a Gentleman with Initials H. D. C.

- By: Unidentified
- Date: ca. 1795
- Medium: watercolor on ivory
- Classification: Paintings
- Dimensions: sight 2 1/2 x 2 in. (6.4 x 5.1 cm) oval
- Credit line: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Rene Muller
- Museum: [Smithsonian Institution](https://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artwork/?id=25080)
- Rights: [CC0 (Smithsonian Open Access)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- Picture: https://invisiblenetwork.ai/thumbs/web/47f61b9dd6e51e18455e7187dcdd30b1.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

Around 1794, the style of powdering hair fell out of favor. In this miniature, the sitter’s long white and gray hair, possibly pulled back in a “pigtail queue,” marks the change from British aristocratic fashion to new trends set by young Americans. The casual hair, assertive expression, and sensual mouth express this gentleman’s confidence, and perhaps even imply a mischievous streak.