# Aaron Baldwin

**Francis Alexander** (American, 1800–1880)  
c. 1835  
oil on wood  
overall: 64.5 x 54.2 cm (25 3/8 x 21 5/16 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1945.11.1. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.32581.html).

## About this work

Francis Alexander painted this in about 1835, aged 35. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

The image is a portrait painting showing a man's upper body. He is positioned slightly turned to his right, with his head facing the viewer. The man has fair skin, defined cheekbones, and small, bright eyes. His hair is short, neatly combed, and grey or white. He is wearing a dark coat over a white shirt with a high collar, partially visible. The background is a muted, dark color, providing a simple setting that emphasizes the subject. There are no visible jewelry or objects in the image.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Oil on panel.** Oil paint on prepared wooden boards, usually oak in the north and poplar in Italy. The rigid, smooth surface suits fine detail and thin, glowing glazes.
- **Oil paint.** Pigment ground in a drying oil, usually linseed. It dries slowly, so painters could blend on the canvas, build up thin translucent glazes, and rework a picture over weeks. Canvas replaced wooden panels in the 1500s because it is lighter and can be rolled.

### [Francis Alexander](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/francis-alexander)

American, 1800–1880

## Facts

- Type: Painting
- The artist was 35
- Real size: about 25 × 21 in (65 × 54 cm). The 18 × 24 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 19th century
- Subjects: male, Baldwin, Aaron
- Colour: black
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1466.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1466/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86; 24 × 36 in $108
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208; 24 × 36 in $258
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5; 24 × 36 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/aaron-baldwin-nga-32581).