Henry Ferne
Artist
John Smibert
American, born in Scotland, 1688–1751
Date1727
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensionscanvas: 127.6 × 102.2 cm (50 1/4 × 40 1/4 in.)
frame: 138.4 × 113 cm (54 1/2 × 44 1/2 in.)
frame: 138.4 × 113 cm (54 1/2 × 44 1/2 in.)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1958.39
Label TextJohn Smibert came to the American colonies in 1729, and quickly became one of the most influential painters in British North America. Having trained in London and traveled in Florence and Rome, Smibert introduced Americans to the latest European styles as well as to prints and painted copies of old master paintings. This portrait, painted four years after the sitter's death, commemorates Henry Ferne's employment as "Receiver General of her Majesty's Customes," as the inscription on the letter informs us. ProvenanceJohn C.P. Langton, Linconshire England
On View
Not on view
