William Thornton

Robert Field, William Thornton, ca. 1800, watercolor on ivory, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Catherine Walden Myer Fund, 1960.6.1
Copied Robert Field, William Thornton, ca. 1800, watercolor on ivory, sight 2 7⁄8 x 2 3⁄8 in. (7.3 x 6.0 cm) oval, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Catherine Walden Myer Fund, 1960.6.1
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
William Thornton
Artist
Date
ca. 1800
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sight 2 7⁄8 x 2 3⁄8 in. (7.3 x 6.0 cm) oval
Credit Line
Museum purchase through the Catherine Walden Myer Fund
Mediums
Mediums Description
watercolor on ivory
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — Thornton, William — bust
  • Occupation — art — architect
Object Number
1960.6.1
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1960.6.1

Artwork Description

William Thornton (1759-1828) was the first architect of the U.S. Capitol, and an inventor and public official as well. He was born in Tortola, British West Indies, and died in Washington. In addition to designing the Capitol, Thornton also designed the Octagon and Tudor Place in Georgetown, Washington. Robert Field and Thornton were friends, and the architect stayed with the artist on his trip to Washington the year this miniature was painted. Thornton held eight patents for improvements to firearms, stills, and boilers, served as commissioner of Washington, and later in life was the superintendent of the Patent Office.