The Art Institute of Chicago

Richard Bill

Oil on canvasJohn Smibert (American, born Scotland, 1688–1751)/1733

Description

The Scottish-born painter John Smibert studied in London and Italy before settling in Boston in 1728. His skills as a trained formal portraitist were in great demand among the wealthy and powerful colonists in Boston. Richard Bill was a prosperous merchant and politically involved citizen. Smibert depicted him dressed in fashionable costume and standing next to a writing table. A large ship is visible through the window in the background. These details hint at Bill’s success and prestige.

Provenance

Commissioned by Richard Bill (1685–1757), Boston, 1733; by descent to his son-in-law, Joshua Henshaw (1703–1777), Boston, 1757; by descent to either his daughter, Sarah Henshaw (1736–1822), or his son Joshua Henshaw (1746–1823), 1777; by descent through the line of either their cousin Elizabeth Bass Henshaw (1737–1787) or cousin David Henshaw (1744–1808) to Andrew Henshaw Ward (1784–1864) and Sarah Henshaw Ward (1787–1863), Newton, MA, 1822 or 1823; by descent to their granddaughter Sarah Henshaw Carruth Washburn (1836–1919), Newton Corner, MA, 1864; by descent to her daughter Gertrude Carruth Washburn Weeks (1861–1928), Boston, 1919; by descent to her husband Warren Bailey Potter Weeks (1858–1943), Boston, 1928; sold to Vose Galleries, Boston, 1943; sold to M. Knoedler & Company, New York, 1943; sold to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1944.

Dimensions

127.6 × 102.2 cm (50 1/4 × 40 1/4 in.)

Source

The Art Institute of Chicago

Movement / Period

Baroque

Accession No

49702

Official Citations

[The Art Institute of Chicago Official Record][Full Resolution Image]

Curatorial Affinity Stream

Continuing the Universe of John Smibert (American, born Scotland, 1688–1751)

Baroque • Boston • Harmonious Works & Contemporaries

Continuous Discovery