Who painted Poor Artist's Cupboard?

Poor Artist's Cupboard was painted by Charles Bird King in c. 1815.

Where can I see Poor Artist's Cupboard?

Poor Artist's Cupboard is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Poor Artist's Cupboard?

Poor Artist's Cupboard is associated with Biedermeier.

Can I buy a print of Poor Artist's Cupboard?

Museum-quality prints of Poor Artist's Cupboard are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Poor Artist's Cupboard

Charles Bird King , 1815

Poor Artist's Cupboard is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Charles Bird King. It dates from 1815 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

The painting's early American origin and its execution by Charles Bird King situate it within the formative period of the genre in the United States.

Painted in 1815, Poor Artist's Cupboard is executed in oil on wood panel. The work measures approximately 75.6 cm in height and 70.5 cm in width. As a still life, it belongs to a genre that traditionally invites symbolic interpretation, though the specific compositional details and handling of paint are not fully documented in the available sources.

The painting's early American origin and its execution by Charles Bird King situate it within the formative period of the genre in the United States.

History & Provenance

The work was painted in 1815 by Charles Bird King. It was likely acquired directly from the artist by the Apollo Association in New York in December 1839, then won at the association's annual auction that month by Albert Christie of New York. By 1884 the painting belonged to William B. Bement in Philadelphia, where it appears in an 1884 photograph of his dining room.

After Bement's death, it was sold at his estate sale in February 1899 through the American Art Association and purchased by J. Sterling. The Morrell family of Cambridge, Massachusetts, held it for many years before Victor Spark of New York consigned it to M. Knoedler & Co., which sold it to the Corcoran Gallery of Art in October 1955. The Corcoran transferred the painting to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 2014, where it is currently held.

Overview

Charles Bird King, an American painter, created Poor Artist's Cupboard around 1815. This oil on wood still life presents a detailed interior scene, characteristic of the Biedermeier period. The work deviates from King's more recognized portraiture, offering a glimpse into a domestic or studio setting through an arrangement of everyday objects.

It serves as an example of his broader artistic range beyond his well-known depictions of Native American leaders.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a wooden cupboard, its curved top framing an array of items. Stacked books, some open to reveal their pages, sit alongside scattered papers, some tied with string. A prominent, deep red shell rests atop the books.

This arrangement conveys a sense of accumulated knowledge and creative activity, yet also suggests a lived-in, somewhat disheveled environment. The dark background enhances the visual prominence of these objects, contributing to an overall impression of warmth and intimate domesticity.

Context

While Charles Bird King is primarily recognized for his extensive series of portraits depicting Native American delegates in Washington D.C., Poor Artist's Cupboard demonstrates his engagement with other artistic forms. This still life offers insight into a different facet of his practice, showcasing his skill in a genre distinct from the formal portraiture that defined much of his career. It highlights his versatility and the broader artistic interests he pursued alongside his more celebrated commissions.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Charles Bird King

Charles Bird King (September 26, 1785 – March 18, 1862) was an American portrait artist, best known for his portrayals of significant Native American leaders and tribesmen.