Artwork
Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Charles Carroll of Carrollton is an oil painting by the Romanticist artist William James Hubard. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Charles Carroll of Carrollton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and one of the wealthiest men in early America, presented at the height of his public stature. Rendered in 1830 by William James Hubard, the composition emphasizes the sitter's dignified presence through a restrained, three-quarter view in the neoclassical conventions used to ennoble revolutionary-era patriots. Painted in 1830, when Carroll was the last surviving signer of the Declaration, the image commemorates his role in the founding of the United States and asserts his familial and political legacy.
Technique & Style
Stylistically, the composition combines realistic rendering with a formal, almost ceremonial pose typical of early-national portraiture.
The work is an oil portrait executed on a wooden panel, as indicated by the recorded medium of oil on wood. Created in 1830, the painting measures approximately 47.6 × 36.8 cm and belongs to the portrait genre within The American Wing collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Hubard's technique features smooth brushwork and a restrained palette that emphasizes the sitter's dignified posture and direct gaze. Stylistically, the composition combines realistic rendering with a formal, almost ceremonial pose typical of early-national portraiture.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Charles Carroll of Carrollton was executed in 1830 by American artist William James Hubard in oil on wood panel. The work is catalogued as part of The American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains in the museum's collection, and measures 47.6 × 36.8 cm. Hubard's authorship is confirmed by the museum's records. No documentation of a specific commission or subsequent ownership transfers beyond its acquisition by the Met is provided in the sources, and the available documentation does not mention an exhibition history or accession number.
Overview
This oil-on-wood portrait, created around 1830 by British-born artist William James Hubard, depicts Charles Carroll of Carrollton. Carroll was a prominent figure in American history, notable as the final surviving signatory of the Declaration of Independence. Hubard, active in both England and the United States, was recognized for his skill in both silhouette and portraiture during the 19th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
William James Hubard (1807 – February 1862) was a British-born artist who worked in England and the United States in the 19th century. He specialized in silhouette and painted portraits.
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