Samuel Smith
Medium
Painting
Classification
Painting
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Dr. and Mrs. B. Noland Carter in memory of the Misses Mary Coles Carter and Sally Randolph Carter
Accession Number
NPG.66.50
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
About this artwork
Family descent to B. Noland Carter, Cincinnati ; gift 1966 to NPG.
Art Historical Context
This striking portrait by Gilbert Stuart captures Samuel Smith, a prominent Baltimore merchant and Revolutionary War veteran, around 1800. Stuart, of early America’s most portraitists, was renowned for his ability to convey both the dignity and character of his subjects through luminous skin tones and expressive brushwork. The inclusion of an epaulet on Smith’s uniform subtly nods to his military service during the fight for independence, blending his roles as patriot and civic leader. Painted in the years following the Revolution, the work reflects the emerging identity of the new nation. Smith’s depiction as a man of influence from Maryland highlights the era’s emphasis on republican virtue and public service. As part of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery collection, this painting offers visitors a window into the personal stories that shaped American history, gifted in memory of the Carter family to preserve such legacies for future generations.