Charles Willson Peale – John Beale Bordley National Gallery of Art (Washington)

The composition presents a gentleman posed in a formal setting, seemingly outdoors. He stands with one hand resting on a book and the other extended as if making a point or gesture. His attire consists of a dark brown coat over a white shirt and waistcoat, complemented by stockings and black shoes. The figure’s posture conveys an air of authority and intellect.
The background is carefully constructed to suggest both natural abundance and civic virtue. A lush, verdant landscape unfolds behind the gentleman, featuring trees laden with fruit – likely apples or pears – and grazing sheep in the distance. To his right stands a classical statue, identifiable as Justice, holding scales and a sword, positioned atop a stone plinth inscribed with lettering that is difficult to decipher fully but appears to contain a dedication.
The placement of these elements carries significant subtextual weight. The fruit-bearing trees symbolize prosperity and the bounty of the land, while the sheep allude to pastoral ideals and perhaps even a sense of stewardship. The statue of Justice underscores principles of law, fairness, and civic responsibility – suggesting that the gentleman embodies or is associated with these values.
The scattered papers at his feet introduce an element of intellectual activity; they might represent legal documents, scientific observations, or philosophical musings, hinting at the subject’s engagement in scholarly pursuits. The overall effect is one of deliberate construction, aiming to portray a man of substance – a figure who combines personal prosperity with civic duty and intellectual rigor. The lighting emphasizes his face and hand gesture, drawing attention to his perceived wisdom and authority.