Floor plan

Style galleriesAmerican colonial and Federal art

American colonial and Federal art

The image shows a scene from a slightly elevated point of view. The horizon is low, highlighting the vast sky above. On the right, there are buildings surrounded by trees. In the center, there is a tall monument with a small structure at its base, slightly to the left. To the right of the monument, a person is standing. The drawing features detailed linework and delicate shading for the sky. The color palette is monochromatic with shades of gray. Rocks and grass in the foreground lead towards the monument and buildings in the distance.
The image shows the upper half of a seated woman facing forward. She has her hands clasped together in front of her. The woman appears calm with visible signs of age, including a few wrinkles on her face. She wears a white bonnet with a frilled edge tied under her chin, a dark shawl over a white high-collared blouse, and sits on a red chair with a gold trim. A red book and a handkerchief are on the surface next to her. The background transitions from deep red to brown tones.
The image displays a painted portrait of an individual, showing the upper half of the body prominently. The person is positioned facing slightly toward the viewer's left with their gaze directed forward. They have defined facial features with a smooth complexion and medium-length, curly brown hair that frames their face. The attire consists of an elegant coat with distinct buttons and a high-collared shirt underneath. There is a subtle shine and texture to the clothing. There are no visible jewelry pieces, and the person is not holding any objects. The background is a dark, neutral color, contrasting with the lighter tones of the person's skin and clothing.
Mrs. Jerathmael Bowers, by John Singleton Copley, ca. 1763
Mrs. John Winthrop, by John Singleton Copley, 1773
The image shows an upper-body portrait of a man seated in a formal position. The man is depicted with a slight turn of his head, directly facing the viewer with a composed expression. He has short gray hair that is neatly styled. His facial features include a high forehead and firm jawline. He is dressed in a dark formal jacket with a high-collared white shirt visible at the neckline. His left hand rests on the arm of the chair, which is ornately carved with a scroll design. A fabric with an intricate pattern is draped over the back of the chair. There is no visible jewelry. In the background, there is a muted backdrop with a warm hue. On the left side of the image, a flowing drapery in a rich reddish tone adds depth to the setting.

The works in this room are listed below.

Works in this room

Portraits and pictures from early America, before and after independence.

First room, north wall

  1. The image shows a scene from a slightly elevated point of view. The horizon is low, highlighting the vast sky above. On the right, there are buildings surrounded by trees. In the center, there is a tall monument with a small structure at its base, slightly to the left. To the right of the monument, a person is standing. The drawing features detailed linework and delicate shading for the sky. The color palette is monochromatic with shades of gray. Rocks and grass in the foreground lead towards the monument and buildings in the distance.
    Groton MonumentJ.R. Butts, c. 1830-1840Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image shows the upper half of a seated woman facing forward. She has her hands clasped together in front of her. The woman appears calm with visible signs of age, including a few wrinkles on her face. She wears a white bonnet with a frilled edge tied under her chin, a dark shawl over a white high-collared blouse, and sits on a red chair with a gold trim. A red book and a handkerchief are on the surface next to her. The background transitions from deep red to brown tones.
    Ann Old Coleman (Mrs. Robert Coleman)Jacob Eichholtz, c. 1820Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image displays a painted portrait of an individual, showing the upper half of the body prominently. The person is positioned facing slightly toward the viewer's left with their gaze directed forward. They have defined facial features with a smooth complexion and medium-length, curly brown hair that frames their face. The attire consists of an elegant coat with distinct buttons and a high-collared shirt underneath. There is a subtle shine and texture to the clothing. There are no visible jewelry pieces, and the person is not holding any objects. The background is a dark, neutral color, contrasting with the lighter tones of the person's skin and clothing.
    A Gentleman of the Morris FamilyJohn Wollaston, 1749/1752Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

First room, south wall

  1. Mrs. Jerathmael Bowers, by John Singleton Copley, ca. 1763
    Mrs. Jerathmael BowersJohn Singleton Copley, ca. 1763Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. Mrs. John Winthrop, by John Singleton Copley, 1773
    Mrs. John WinthropJohn Singleton Copley, 1773Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  3. The image shows an upper-body portrait of a man seated in a formal position. The man is depicted with a slight turn of his head, directly facing the viewer with a composed expression. He has short gray hair that is neatly styled. His facial features include a high forehead and firm jawline. He is dressed in a dark formal jacket with a high-collared white shirt visible at the neckline. His left hand rests on the arm of the chair, which is ornately carved with a scroll design. A fabric with an intricate pattern is draped over the back of the chair. There is no visible jewelry. In the background, there is a muted backdrop with a warm hue. On the left side of the image, a flowing drapery in a rich reddish tone adds depth to the setting.
    Charles Carnan RidgelyThomas Sully, 1820Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Second room, south wall

  1. This image depicts a man from the waist up. He is seated, slightly turned to his right, while facing the viewer. The man has a composed expression, prominent cheekbones, and a slightly pointed nose. His dark brown hair is styled in a classic early 19th-century manner, with curls around the sides and forehead. He is dressed in a dark blue coat with gold buttons, a yellow waistcoat, a high-collared white shirt, and a decorative pin. In his right hand, he holds a piece of folded paper with writing on it. The background is an indistinct swirl of darker colors.
    Robert G. L. De PeysterSamuel Lovett Waldo, 1828Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. Portrait of a Woman with a Shawl, by Erastus Salisbury Field, ca. 1825-1850
    Portrait of a Woman with a ShawlErastus Salisbury Field, ca. 1825-1850Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
  3. Daniel Crommelin Verplanck, by John Singleton Copley, 1771
    Daniel Crommelin VerplanckJohn Singleton Copley, 1771Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Second room, north wall

  1. Mary Walton Morris, by John Wollaston, 1749/1752
    Mary Walton MorrisJohn Wollaston, 1749/1752Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. Artist: Charles Willson Peale, Sitter: Charles Willson Peale, Current owner: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
    Charles Willson Peale Self-PortraitCharles Willson Peale, c. 1791Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
  3. Elizabeth Shewell West and Her Son, Raphael, by Benjamin West, c. 1770
    Elizabeth Shewell West and Her Son, RaphaelBenjamin West, c. 1770Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

Third room, north wall

  1. Bay of New York, Sunset, by Thomas Chambers, mid 19th century
    Bay of New York, SunsetThomas Chambers, mid 19th centuryCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. Jonathan Bentham, c. 1725
    Jonathan BenthamUnrecorded American maker, c. 1725Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. Sketch for The Copley Family, by John Singleton Copley, 1776
    Sketch for The Copley FamilyJohn Singleton Copley, 1776Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  4. Artist: Benjamin West, Sitter: Benjamin West, Current owner: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
    West Family in the Studio GardenBenjamin West, 1808-09Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution