Portrait of Mr. & Mrs. Smith

We have recently had the good fortune to acquire a pair of handsome American portraits that present a pleasant couple—Mr. & Mrs. George Smith—who, in 1840, were upwardly mobile in Baltimore society and eager to confirm that fact by commissioning these two paintings.

The source of the Smith family’s newly accumulated wealth was the gradual resurgence of the shipbuilding business in Baltimore after the lull that followed the War of 1812. As young Smith came into his own as a shipbuilder, the yards were regaining their vitality by developing ships for the growing American merchant marine fleet.

A great many artists were drawn to Baltimore by the strengthened economy. Among these were renown portraitists like Henry Inman, Thomas Sully, and Sarah Miriam Peale. These artists secured many important com­missions. But other, lesser known, portraitists were also successful rendering the likenesses of prosperous Baltimore bankers and merchants.

Our research has revealed nothing yet about the artist who painted these portraits. Nor do we know anything about the pleasant evening in the Smith’s home when these pictures were unveiled to family and friends. We can only assume that the Smiths were pleased by the manner in which they were portrayed and very proud to have their pictures on display.

In the history of American Art, portraiture is one of the most dominant subjects, especially during this period. We are very pleased to have acquired this pair of classic American portraits and are thankful to the Clinton E. Newman Foundation and Mr. Bruce Chaney for their support for this important acquisition.