Philip Slade 1818

Ammi Phillips painted this portrait of Philip Slade in the United States during the first half of the 19th century. The simplicity and directness of the image are typical of American folk art of the period. But what does this portrait tell us about the society in which it was made? The sitter's dark coat and book suggest a man of some status and education. The plain background and the sitter's reserved expression also speak to the values of a society that prized hard work and self-reliance. It's worth remembering that this was a period of great social and economic change in the United States, as the country expanded westward and grappled with the issue of slavery. To understand this painting better, we might turn to historical documents such as census records, newspapers, and personal letters. These sources can shed light on the social and political context in which the portrait was made, and help us to understand its meaning for viewers at the time, as well as today.