Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
58.P.32 |
Object Name |
Painting |
Title |
Portrait of John Gottlieb Ernestus Heckewelder |
Artist |
Krimmel, John L., attributed |
Date |
1820 |
Description |
Half-length portrait of a standing figure, facing front. The subject's hands are crossed on a cane head and his right elbow rests on a book. Behind his right arm is a black hat. The subject has gray hair, brown eyes, and a fair complexion. He is wearing a tan-gray coat, a brown waistcoat with buttons, and a white collar, shirt, and neckcloth. In the left background of the portrait is a large rock with a leafy vine growing up the right side. In the right background of the portrait, behind the figure, is a landscape of hills and forest against a partly cloudy, blue sky. A bark-covered lodge and two Native American figures are depicted in the landscape foreground. Unsigned and undated. |
Label |
German-American missionary John Gottlieb Ernestus Heckewelder spent fifty years living among Native American tribes such as the Delaware and Mahican. Genre and portrait-painter John Lewis Krimmel painted this portrait when Heckewelder was in his late seventies, suffering from arthritis. The portrait conveys his physical frailty along with his strength of character. The Native Americans in the background, as well as his walking stick and hat, refer to Heckewelder's missionary work. The book he leans on may be his "Account of the History, Manners, and Customs of the Indian Nations Who Once Inhabited Pennsylvania," published by the APS in 1819. The portrait was well-received. In 1821, Heckewelder wrote to linguist Peter Stephen DuPonceau, who had recently purchased the painting from Krimmel: "I have within 12 months been told by several Gentlemen who had seen the picture at Kremmels [sic], that it is a very good likeness. If I live to go to Phila. once more, I will do myself the pleasure & call to see it." |
Medium |
Oil on canvas |
Dimensions |
H-19.25 W-17 inches |
Dimension Details |
Framed |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society. Gift of Peter Stephen DuPonceau, 2 April 1824. |
Search Terms |
19th century nineteenth century painting Native America |