William Loughton Smith (1758–1812) Artist: John Trumbull (American, 1756–1843)

1792

American Paintings and Sculpture

On view, 2nd floor, American Art before 1900


William Loughton Smith, a lawyer and planter from South Carolina, served five terms in Congress and acted as Charleston's agent in 1792 when the city commissioned John Trumbull to paint a full-length portrait of George Washington. As a member of Congress, Smith joined other Southerners to quash antislavery petitions. In the 1790s, the arch-Federalist Smith wrote pamphlets critiquing his party's political rival, Thomas Jefferson. Trumbull painted this miniature of Smith in Philadelphia for the unexecuted painting The Inauguration of the President.

Medium

Oil on wood

Dimensions

3 3/4 × 3 in. (9.5 × 7.6 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Herbert L. Pratt

Accession Number

1936.116

Geography

Made in United States

Culture

American

Period

18th century

Classification

Miniatures

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Bibliography
  • Helen A. Cooper et al., Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: American Art from the Yale University Art Gallery, exh. cat. (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 2008), 102, no. 44, ill
  • Helen A. Cooper et al., John Trumbull: The Hand and Spirit of a Painter (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 1982), 141, pl. 81-85
Object copyright
No Copyright - United States
Additional information

Object/Work type

histories (visual works), miniatures (paintings), portraits

Signed

signed verso:" William Smith Esqr./Representative in the/Congress of the United/States of America from/the State of South Carolina/& present at the inaugu/ration of the first President./Painted by J. Trumbull/Phil. 1792."

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