Benjamin Tappan
Medium
Painting
Classification
Painting
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Mary Louise and Benjamin Wright Conserved with funds from the Smithsonian Women's Committee
Accession Number
NPG.98.78
Tags
About this artwork
Benjamin T. Wright, Belmont, Mass., great-great grandson of sitter; gift 1998 NPG
Art Historical Context
This exquisite miniature portrait, titled *Benjamin Tappan* and painted around 1839 by Washington Blanchard (8–?), captures the distinguished likeness of the Ohio lawyer and statesman. Blanchard, a skilled itinerant artist known for his detailed small-scale works, renders Tappan with a keen eye for character, highlighting his thoughtful gaze and formal attire. Miniature portraits like this were cherished 19th-century keepsakes, often painted on ivory in watercolor or enamel, allowing for portability and intimate display in homes or lockets—a testament to personal and familial bonds. Benjamin ...