Portrait of John Westwood
- Created by
- Johnson, Joshua, American, ca. 1763 - after 1832
- Subject of
- Westwood, John, American
- Date
- ca. 1807-1808
- Medium
- oil paint on canvas , wood
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (framed): 38 3/16 × 33 1/4 × 2 1/2 in. (97 × 84.4 × 6.4 cm)
- H x W (unframed): 30 1/4 × 25 1/4 in. (76.8 × 64.1 cm)
- Caption
- In December 1798 Joshua Johnson placed an advertisement in the Baltimore Intelligencer: "As a self-taught genius, deriving from nature and industry his knowledge of the Art; and having experienced many insuperable obstacles in the pursuit of his studies, it is highly gratifying to him to make assurances of his ability to execute all commands with an effect, and in a style, which give satisfaction."
- Well-known in the community, Johnson enjoyed a successful career as a painter, receiving most of his commissions from a wealthy white clientele, such as plantation owner John Westwood. The chest-length view, feigned oval enclosure, linear application of paint, and shallow depth defined a common style among itinerant painters of the time. In addition to this portrait, Johnson painted Westwood’s three children.
- Description
- An oil painting portrait of John Westwood, painted in conventional English portrait style of formal, bust-length pose and arranged backdrop. It depicts a half-length male figure wearing a brown coat with silver buttons and white waistcoat against a dark background. The figure is clean shaven with short brown hair, and is encircled by a faux oval frame. Painted as part of the composition, the oval frame is slightly lighter in color than the background. The painting is framed in a dark wood frame.
- Place made
- Baltimore, Maryland, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Visual Arts
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Type
- oil paintings
- portraits
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2010.25abc
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public domain
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.