Capt. Henry P. Fleischman

George Catlin, Capt. Henry P. Fleischman, ca. 1825, watercolor on ivory, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Mary Elizabeth Spencer, 1999.27.5
George Catlin, Capt. Henry P. Fleischman, ca. 1825, watercolor on ivory, image (oval): 2 3⁄8 x 1 7⁄8 in. (6.1 x 4.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Mary Elizabeth Spencer, 1999.27.5
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Capt. Henry P. Fleischman
Artist
Date
ca. 1825
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
image (oval): 2 3⁄8 x 1 7⁄8 in. (6.1 x 4.9 cm)
Credit Line
Bequest of Mary Elizabeth Spencer
Mediums
Mediums Description
watercolor on ivory
Classifications
Subjects
  • Occupation — military — captain
  • Portrait male — Fleischman, Henry P. — bust
Object Number
1999.27.5
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1999.27.5

Artwork Description

The Naval Library has no record of Henry Fleischman (1792-1835) having earned the rank of captain. He was captured once by the British, who had released him upon his oath not to fight against them again. Fleischman went on to serve on the USS Chesapeake under the name William Brown, a midshipman who previously had been posted aboard the ship. Fleischman’s actions were discovered and he was charged with “un-officer-like conduct” and falsifying his identity. Because of his youth and good record his only punishment was a public reprimand by the secretary of the Navy. George Catlin and his wife had planned to visit the Fleischmans at their home in St. Louis in October 1835, but arrived six months after the “Captain” died at sea. Although this miniature is dated 1825, it is possible that Catlin painted it on that trip, as a memorial for his friend’s grieving family.

Works by this artist (744 items)

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William Zorach, Floating Figure, 1922, cast plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1968.154.3
Floating Figure
Artist
Date1922
cast plaster
On view
William Zorach, The Builder (study for Chase Bank), ca. 1960, cast and patinated plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1971.449.29
The Builder (study for Chase Bank)
Artist
Dateca. 1960
cast and patinated plaster
On view
William Zorach, Small Head, ca. 1958-1962, carved stone, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1968.154.9
Small Head
Artist
Dateca. 1958-1962
carved stone
On view
William Zorach, Child on a Pony, 1934, cast plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1971.449.19
Child on a Pony
Artist
Date1934
cast plaster
On view

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Joseph Cornell, Untitled (Rorschach drawing), n.d., drawing, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 1991.155.408
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