Portrait of Jean Terford David

1813
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(American, 1783–1872)
Framed: 122 x 103 x 10 cm (48 1/16 x 40 9/16 x 3 15/16 in.); Unframed: 89.5 x 70.5 cm (35 1/4 x 27 3/4 in.)
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Did You Know?

Sully's working motto was "flattery--nothing so sure of success as flattering your portraits."

Description

According to his own inventory, the astonishingly productive Sully painted more than 2,600 works during his career. Most of these paintings were commissioned portraits, including this one of John Terford David, who had just recently married. French-born David was an American officer who served as a paymaster during the War of 1812. His rank is indicated by the fringed epaulet on his left shoulder and the lack of one on his right. In composing the portrait, Sully ingeniously positioned David's body on an angle to emphasize the single epaulet and downplay the uniform's lack of symmetry.
Portrait of Jean Terford David

Portrait of Jean Terford David

1813

Thomas Sully

(American, 1783–1872)
America, 19th century

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