Thomas Sully
American, born England, 1783–1872
Dr. Joseph Klapp
INV-9662
Thomas Sully
American, born England, 1783–18721814
Dr. Joseph Klapp
Thomas Sully American, born England, 1783–1872 →paintingamerican arts
Date
1814
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
91.4 × 71.1 cm (36 × 28 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Purchased with funds provided by Annie Swan Coburn to the Mr. and Mrs. Lewis L. Coburn Memorial Collection
Over the course of his 70-year career, Thomas Sully painted more than two thousand portraits, including Dr. Joseph Klapp and Mrs. Klapp (Anna Milnor) (1950.1362). Joseph Klapp was born and raised in Albany, New York, but studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and settled in Philadelphia. In the portrait, Klapp rests his elbow on a medical text, indicating his profession. The books lining the background of the painting also speak to the sitter’s intellectual prowess. The image of Mrs. Klapp, painted in a harmoniously limited color scheme, emphasizes her beauty. Together, the portraits present an image of a sophisticated couple that celebrates their prosperity, intelligence, and taste.
Also notable
Works in the same vein
Mrs. Klapp (Anna Milnor)
Thomas Sully (American, born England, 1783–1872)
Mrs. George Lingen
Thomas Sully American, 1783–1872
Patrick Henry
Possibly William Satchwell Leney (English, active in America and Canada, 1769-1831) published by J. Webster (America, 19th century) after Thomas Sully (American, 1783-1872)