Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
58.P.33 |
Object Name |
Painting |
Title |
Portrait of Peter Stephen DuPonceau |
Artist |
Sully, Thomas |
Date |
1830 |
Description |
Half-length portrait of a seated figure with his body turned slightly to his right, in front of a medium brown background. The subject has brown, graying hair, brown eyes, and a rosy, brunette complexion. He is wearing spectacles, a brown coat, a black cravat, and a white shirt collar. Signed "TS 1830" in the lower left corner of canvas. |
Label |
Peter Stephen DuPonceau, a lawyer specializing in international law, came to the United States from France in 1777 to serve in the Revolutionary War with Prussian officer Baron von Steuben. DuPonceau became a member of the APS in 1791. Elected president in 1827, he held the position for seventeen years until his death in 1844. An avid scholar of languages, DuPonceau was a primary force behind the early growth of the Society's world-renowned Native American linguistics collections. The members of the Society commissioned this portrait in 1830 to commemorate their respected president. |
Medium |
Oil on canvas |
Dimensions |
H-39.438 W-34.375 inches |
Dimension Details |
Framed |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society. Gift of members, 1830. |
Search Terms |
19th Century nineteenth century painting Native America linguist lawyer APS President |