Artwork

Samuel Williams

Samuel Williams, by Washington Allston, oil, 1817
Samuel Williams, by Washington Allston, oil, 1817

Samuel Williams is an oil painting by Washington Allston. It dates from 1817 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Samuel Williams is a painting by Washington Allston, executed on canvas in 1817. It is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays a seated man, dressed formally in a brown jacket and white cravat, holding a book. The setting, a room with a table and an arched window, suggests a portrait of a literate individual, possibly a scholar or gentleman.

Technique & Style

The artist employed chiaroscuro to create depth and dimension, using contrasts of light and shadow to draw attention to the subject. A range of colors, from deep browns to lighter tones, adds to the painting's visual complexity.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Washington Allston

Artist

Washington Allston

American, Georgetown, South Carolina 1779–1843 Cambridgeport, Massachusetts

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.