William Penn
PainterAttributed to
Joseph Steward
(American, 1753 - 1822)
SubjectPortrait of
William Penn
(English, 1644 - 1718)
Datelate 18th-early 19th century
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (canvas height x width): 30 1/2 x 26 1/4in. (77.5 x 66.7cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
Object number1840.38.0
DescriptionBust-length portrait of heavy-set man facing right. He wears a curled shoulder-length gray wig, white long neck cloth, probably a cravat and buttoned gray/tan frock coat. Painted on oval within a square canvas. Frame is black wood with gilt molding.
NotesSubject Note: William Penn was born in Tower Hill, London, on 14 October 1644, the son of Admiral Sir William Penn and Margaret (Jasper) Penn. He was an English Quaker, and founder of Pennsylvania. He has settle in Rickmansworth in Herfordshire, England. In 1680, he became of one of five proprietors of West Jersey in American, which he later relinquished. In 1681 he was made master of the province of Pennsylvania in repayment of a debt owed to him by the crown. He saide to American on the ship “Welcome” 1 September 1682, and returned to England 2 October 1684. He returned to Pennsylvania in 1699, then back to England in 1701. He wrote many books, chiefly in support of the Quakers. He married first, Gulielma Springett in the spring of 1672. They had five children before she died on 24 February 1694. He married second, in March 1696, Hannah Callowill, with whom he had three sons. Penn died on 30 May 1718 was buried with his two wives at Jourdans Meeting House near Chalfont St. Giles in Buckinghamshire. Date Note: According to museum records, Joseph Steward operated a museum at the Old State House in Hartford, Connecticut as early as 1796, where it is known he would also display his paintings. (Lee 10/23/2014)
Status
Not on view
Joseph Steward
