Two Profiles, Possibly of John Adams 1751 - 1811

James Sharples created this pastel drawing, titled "Two Profiles, Possibly of John Adams", sometime around the late 18th century in either the United States or Great Britain. Sharples was known for making small, informal portraits of leading figures, and the likeness of John Adams suggests the social and political circles in which Sharples operated. Sharples's choice of the profile view is interesting, as it was often associated with classical antiquity and conveyed a sense of nobility and stateliness. His use of soft pastel gives this drawing approachability. This work can be understood through the lens of early American portraiture and its connection to the formation of national identity. If it is of John Adams, this drawing offers a glimpse into the personal life and social status of one of the nation's founding fathers. To understand this piece better, look into the records and letters that detail Adams’s life and the cultural norms of portraiture in the late 1700s.