Artwork
John Philip Kemble
John Philip Kemble is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Thomas Sully. It dates from 1867 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Executed in 1867, this portrait of John Philip Kemble is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 53.6 by 40.9 cm. Created by Thomas Sully, the piece is classified as a portrait and is currently held in the Andrew W. Mellon collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The medium and support consist of oil paint applied to a canvas surface.
History & Provenance
Following Clarke's death, the painting remained part of his estate until 29 January 1936, when it was sold via M.
Thomas Sully executed this oil-on-canvas portrait of John Philip Kemble in 1867. The work's early ownership includes A. T. Bay, secretary to the collector Thomas B. Clarke, before it entered Clarke's holdings in New York on 13 December 1920. Following Clarke's death, the painting remained part of his estate until 29 January 1936, when it was sold via M. Knoedler & Co. to the A. W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust in Pittsburgh.
In 1947 the Trust donated the piece to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it resides as part of the Andrew W. Mellon collection.
Overview
This oil on canvas painting, titled John Philip Kemble, was created by Thomas Sully in 1867. It presents a portrait of a man, likely the individual named in the title, rendered with a focus on his dignified presence. The work exemplifies Sully's approach to portraiture, capturing the sitter's likeness and character through a traditional medium.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts a man with dark hair, shown from the chest up, gazing towards his left. He wears a red jacket, distinguished by a decorative pin or brooch, and his right hand is positioned near his chest. This pose, combined with his direct gaze, suggests a composed and perhaps reflective demeanor, characteristic of formal portraiture intended to convey the sitter's status or personality.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Thomas Sully was an English-American portrait painter. He was born in England, became a naturalized American citizen in 1809, and lived most of his life in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, including in the Thomas Sully…
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