Dr. Thomas Fuller 

Samuel Morse, better known for his invention of the telegraph, painted this portrait of Dr. Thomas Fuller in the United States. Morse's painting provides a glimpse into the social and intellectual life of early 19th-century America. The somewhat severe and classical style places importance on Fuller’s status and accomplishments. The sitter's plain, dark coat, and simple white cravat speak to a certain mode of professional dress. To understand this work better, we must consider the rise of scientific and philosophical societies in this period, and how they helped to shape a sense of national identity. Art historical scholarship and archival research into the biographies of both artist and sitter, as well as the institutions they were connected with, will provide additional perspectives. Approaching art history in this way helps us to see art as deeply embedded in its social and institutional context.