Portrait of Richard John Cock, c. 1817
Joshua Johnsonexpand_more
Oil on canvasexpand_more
Gift of Sam and Patty McCullough in loving memory of their son, Evanexpand_more 2018.113
On View in Gallery 322expand_more
Joshua Johnson was the earliest documented professional Black portrait painter in the United States, who forged a successful career primarily in Baltimore, Maryland. A freedman, Johnson attracted prominent clients through a newspaper advertisement referring to himself as a “self-taught genius” inspired by nature. His patrons included politicians, doctors, clergymen, and merchants.
Johnson made several paintings memorializing children after their deaths, commissioned by their grieving families. This full-length portrait depicts Richard John Cock, who died at age 9 in 1817. Here, Richard stands in a lush garden, surrounded by sweet-scented roses and pointing to a moth. Because of the insect’s life cycle, this symbol is aligned with the hope for rebirth, regeneration, transformation, and change.
Details
- Title
- Portrait of Richard John Cock
- Artist Life
- c. 1763 - c. 1824
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2018.113
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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