Artwork
General Elias Dayton
General Elias Dayton is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist James Sharples. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
About this work
Overview
General Elias Dayton is a portrait painted by James Sharples, an English artist known for his work in pastel and oil.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts General Elias Dayton, a colonial American military figure, in formal attire, conveying a sense of seriousness and dignity through his expression and posture.
Technique & Style
The painting features a dark background that highlights the subject, who is dressed in a blue military coat with gold accents and a white collar, characteristic of late 18th-century portraiture.
History & Provenance
Created around the late 18th century, the painting is now part of the Detroit Institute of Arts collection. Sharples, the artist, had established himself in England before moving to the United States in 1794.
Artist & collection
Artist
James Sharples (1751 or 1752, in Lancashire – 26 February 1811, in New York City) was an English portrait painter and pastelist, who moved to the United States in 1794. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1779.
