Artwork
Captain Elisha Denison
Captain Elisha Denison is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist The Denison Limner. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The materials and dimensions reflect standard practices for full-length or three-quarter length portraits of the period within the Connecticut region.
Executed in 1790, this portrait is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 86.4 cm in height and 68.9 cm in width. Attributed to the Denison Limner, the piece exemplifies the formal portraiture style characteristic of late eighteenth-century American art, focusing on the depiction of the sitter, Captain Elisha Denison.
The materials and dimensions reflect standard practices for full-length or three-quarter length portraits of the period within the Connecticut region.
History & Provenance
The painting was created in 1790 and depicts Captain Elisha Denison, a Connecticut resident. It remained within Denison's family until sold in 1947 by Victor Spark of New York to Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch. The work was subsequently bequeathed to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it remains in the collection today.
Captain Elisha Denison is an oil on canvas painting held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It was recorded as originating from Connecticut and descended within the family of the sitter before being sold in 1947 by Victor Spark of New York to Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, who later bequeathed it to the National Gallery of Art in 1980.
The work measures 86.4 cm by 68.9 cm and was created in 1790. It has been exhibited as part of the National Gallery of Art's collection display in Washington, D.C.
Overview
Created around 1790, this oil on canvas portrait presents Captain Elisha Denison seated in a chair, gazing directly at the viewer. Rendered by an anonymous hand identified as the Denison Limner, the work exemplifies late‑colonial American portraiture, focusing on the sitter’s attire and posture rather than elaborate background scenery.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is Captain Elisha Denison, depicted in his military uniform, suggesting his rank and social standing. His upright pose and steady stare convey a sense of authority and personal dignity, offering a visual record of his public identity within the community of the period.
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