Captain Charles StewartThomas Sully · 1812

Identification of the Portrait of Captain Charles Stewart

This oil on canvas portrait, titled Captain Charles Stewart, was executed by the artist Thomas Sully. The work depicts Captain Charles Stewart, a United States Navy officer, in a formal setting. The painting dates to about 1812.

The subject of the portrait is Charles Stewart, a man who served as a naval officer. Thomas Sully rendered the figure in a manner that emphasizes the specific attire and presence of the officer. The composition focuses on the individual's likeness and his military status during the early nineteenth century.

Visual Composition and Subject Details

The subject is positioned centrally, standing with his hands held behind his back. He wears a military uniform consisting of a suit, a tie, and a hat. The attire is rendered with attention to the textures of the fabric. In the background, two other people are visible, though they remain secondary to the primary figure. The setting is an elegant and formal environment, characterized by structured interior elements.

In the lower portion of the composition, a couch is located near the bottom left corner. A chair is situated close to this couch, positioned with its back facing the viewer. These pieces of furniture contribute to the formal arrangement of the room. The spatial organization places the main figure in the foreground, creating a sense of depth between the subject and the background figures and the furniture in the lower plane.