Title
Gouverneur Morris
Creator
Date
c. 1802
Description
A profile silhouette of Gouverneur Morris (American, c. 1802) attributed to Moses Williams (American, 1777-c.1825); hollow-cut paper on black silk grosgrain. Embossed stamp of "PEALE'S MUSEUM" beneath bust. Clipping affixed to bottom in 1867 reads: "Profileograph of Gouverneur Morris by Chas. W. Peale at Phila 1807. To Jeremiah Potts the esteemed friend of G.M. Property of Vanderlyn Potts 1867. Joseph Van. Potts Phila."
Formerly attributed to Charles Willson Peale (American, 1741-1827), this important silhouette of statesman Gouverneur Morris (American, 1752-1816) was likely cut at Peale’s Philadelphia Museum by Moses Williams, an African American man long enslaved by the Peale family. Williams cut thousands of portrait heads in the Museum. Peale’s son Rembrandt recalled that Williams cut “the likenesses of many a valued friend or relative, and sometimes of distinguished personages” like Morris. Williams’s work was so profitable to Peale that Peale manumitted him in 1802. Our research also suggests that the profile, previously dated to 1807, was completed instead on May 14, 1802, when Morris recorded a visit to Peale’s Museum in his diaries.
Formerly attributed to Charles Willson Peale (American, 1741-1827), this important silhouette of statesman Gouverneur Morris (American, 1752-1816) was likely cut at Peale’s Philadelphia Museum by Moses Williams, an African American man long enslaved by the Peale family. Williams cut thousands of portrait heads in the Museum. Peale’s son Rembrandt recalled that Williams cut “the likenesses of many a valued friend or relative, and sometimes of distinguished personages” like Morris. Williams’s work was so profitable to Peale that Peale manumitted him in 1802. Our research also suggests that the profile, previously dated to 1807, was completed instead on May 14, 1802, when Morris recorded a visit to Peale’s Museum in his diaries.
Cultural Origin
American
Medium
silk
paper
Extent
9.125" x 7.75"
Collection
Source
Bequest of Mrs. Alletta Morris McBean, 1986.
Identifier
PSNC.8626
For more information about this item, please contact its owning institution.