Samuel Ringgold
Medium
Painting
Classification
Painting
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the William Woodville Estate
Accession Number
NPG.96.93
Tags
About this artwork
Estate of William Woodville VIII, Washington, D.C. [d.1995]; gift 1996 to NPG
Art Historical Context
John Vanderlyn's portrait *Samuel Ringgold* (c. 1825) captures the dignified likeness of a distinguished U.S. Army officer and military engineer. Painted during the early 19th century, work exemplifies Vanderlyn's Neoclassical style, honed through his studies in Paris under Jacques-Louis David. Known for precise draftsmanship and idealized forms, Vanderlyn often portrayed American notables with a sense of classical grandeur, blending European techniques with national pride. Ringgold, depicted in a flowing cape against an exterior backdrop, embodies the era's military heroism. As a key figure ...