Matthew Maury

Peregrine F. Cooper, Matthew Maury, ca. 1840, watercolor on ivory, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Henry L. Milmore, 1950.4.26
Copied Peregrine F. Cooper, Matthew Maury, ca. 1840, watercolor on ivory, sight 2 7⁄8 x 2 3⁄8 in. (7.3 x 6.0 cm) rectangle, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Henry L. Milmore, 1950.4.26
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Matthew Maury
Artist
Date
ca. 1840
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sight 2 7⁄8 x 2 3⁄8 in. (7.3 x 6.0 cm) rectangle
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Henry L. Milmore
Mediums
Mediums Description
watercolor on ivory
Classifications
Subjects
  • Occupation — military — Navy
  • Portrait male — Maury, Matthew Fontaine — bust
Object Number
1950.4.26
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1950.4.26

Artwork Description

Long thought to be a portrait of oceanographer Matthew Fontaine Maury (1806-1873), this miniature appears to be an image of his cousin, also named Matthew Maury. According to correspondence from the family, this Matthew Maury (1800-1875) was the son of James Maury, affectionately known as “The Old Consul” for his role as the first American consul to Liverpool, England. James Maury was a friend of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington, all of whom attended a school set up by James Maury’s father to educate his thirteen children and the children of other prominent families.