Artwork
Dr. Samuel A. Bemis
Dr. Samuel A. Bemis is an oil painting by the Realist artist Chester (Charles) Harding. It dates from 1842 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Dr.
About this work
Overview
Dr. Samuel A. Bemis is an oil painting created by American portraitist Chester Harding in 1842. The work is characteristic of Harding's oeuvre, which focused on capturing likenesses of prominent individuals in the United States and England during the Realism movement.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays Dr. Samuel A. Bemis, a subject of significance within Harding's body of work. Depicted seated, Bemis holds a book in his left hand and a tool in his right, indicating his professional or scholarly status through attire and attributes.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the portrait adheres to typical compositional conventions of early 19th-century portraiture. A muted brown background contrasts with Bemis's dark jacket and white shirt, emphasizing the subject.
History & Provenance
Dr. Samuel A. Bemis is part of the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection, reflecting the institution's holdings of 19th-century American art.
Context
Created during the Realism movement, the painting aligns with the era's emphasis on realistic representation, a hallmark of Harding's practice alongside other contemporary portraitists.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Chester Harding (September 1, 1792 – April 1, 1866) was an American portrait painter known for his paintings of prominent figures in the United States and England.
