Daniel La Motte

Thomas Sully, Daniel La Motte, 1812-1813, oil on canvas mounted on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand La Motte III, 1983.76
Copied Thomas Sully, Daniel La Motte, 1812-1813, oil on canvas mounted on wood, 36 3829 in. (92.373.8 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand La Motte III, 1983.76
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Artwork Details

Title
Daniel La Motte
Artist
Date
1812-1813
Dimensions
36 3829 in. (92.373.8 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand La Motte III
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas mounted on wood
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — La Motte, Daniel
Object Number
1983.76

Artwork Description

Wilmington, Delaware landowner and cotton merchant Daniel la Motte appears in the latest London fashion, his stylish clothes and relaxed demeanor reflecting the current style of portraiture popular in England and Europe.Artist Thomas Sully had just completed a sojourn to London and Paris, returning to Philadelphia prepared to paint sitters like La Motte as American aristocrats. His portrait of La Motte reflects American ambitions to be a great nation, aspiring to cultural parity with the Old World.