Artwork Page for Samuel Williams

Details / Information for Samuel Williams

Samuel Williams

c. 1817

Washington Allston

(American, 1779–1843)
Culture
America
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
Framed: 172.5 x 142.5 x 14 cm (67 15/16 x 56 1/8 x 5 1/2 in.); Unframed: 142.2 x 111.8 cm (56 x 44 in.)
Credit Line
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund 1965.474
Public Domain
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Location
205 Federal American
Print
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Did You Know?

Allston experimented with painting recipes, even attempting to mix his pigment colors with skimmed milk.

Description

Allston’s portrait of his London banker and business agent explores the experience of reverie. Williams looks off absently, perhaps inspired by the pictures in the book he holds. With its view of an Italianate landscape beyond the columns of this invented setting, the painting seemingly invites viewers to join the sitter in dreaming about faraway places.
A vertically oriented oil portrait depicts a man with light skin tone seated in a high-backed blue chair. Dressed in a brown coat and white cravat, he gazes toward our left while holding an open book. To our left, a table holds books and a quill. Through a stone archway behind him, a landscape featuring classical columns and a railing is set against a cloudy, pink and orange sky.

Samuel Williams

c. 1817

Washington Allston

(American, 1779–1843)
America

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