Portrait of John McAllister, Sr.
1812
oil
From the collection of Philadelphia Museum of Art
1812
oil
From the collection of Philadelphia Museum of Art
This portrait features a man seated at a table, dressed in a dark jacket over a white shirt and cravat. His right hand rests on the table, holding a pair of glasses, while his left hand is placed in his lap. A red object, possibly a pocket knife or letter opener, lies on the table beside him. The man's attire and the style of the painting suggest an early 19th-century setting. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and dimensionality in the portrait. To learn more about the artist behind this work, explore the paintings of James Peale.
