Portrait of Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole's Husband or Official Portrait of an African American Scholar
Painting on canvas • Attributed to a contemporary American portraitist specializing in institutional and official portraits.
Style & Movement
Contemporary Realism / American Academic Portraiture
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, employing traditional figurative realism with detailed brushwork, precise linework, and careful rendering of textures in textiles and objects.
Creation Period
Early 21st century, circa 2010-2020
Dimensions & Format
Estimated at approximately 40 x 30 inches, vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A three-quarter length portrait of an elderly African American man in a formal dark pinstripe suit, white shirt, red tie, and pocket square, seated on a vibrant blue chair. He is positioned indoors with large windows in the background showing bare winter trees. On a table beside him sit significant personal or professional objects, including an Emmy statuette, a small African sculpture, and stacked books, indicating his accomplishments and cultural interests.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent. The paint layer appears stable, vibrant, and well-preserved with no obvious signs of fading, craquelure, or structural damage.
Estimated Market Value
15,000 USD to 30,000 USD
Auction Estimate
10,000 USD to 20,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely commissioned directly from the artist for a private collection, university, or cultural institution.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the ongoing tradition of high-status African American portraiture, highlighting individual achievement, intellectualism, and cultural heritage within contemporary art.
Notable Features
The inclusion of specific symbolic objects like the Emmy award and African artifacts on the side table, which personalize the sitter's narrative and accomplishments.
Condition Issues
None visible from the current image perspective. The surface appears clean and structurally sound.
Conservation Recommendations
Standard preventative conservation: maintain stable relative humidity between 45-55 percent, avoid direct sunlight, and house in a climate-controlled indoor environment.