The artwork is titled “Portrait of John Totten,” created by the artist John Bradley in the year 1834. It falls within the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and belongs to the genre of portrait painting.
In the artwork, one observes a solemn depiction of a middle-aged man, presumed to be John Totten. He is portrayed in formal attire, consisting of a dark brown coat over a black waistcoat and white high-collared shirt, indicative of early 19th-century fashion. The man’s expression is stern and contemplative, with a focused gaze directed slightly to his left. His hair is dark and combed back neatly. The background is plain and subdued, drawing attention to the subject. In his right hand, he holds a quill, and nearby on the table rests an inkwell and an open book, suggesting an aspect of literacy or documentation related to the man’s activities. The style and execution typify the Naïve Art movement through its straightforward, unaffected approach, presenting a clear, unembellished representation of the subject.
