Augustus Fielding Hawkins c. 1820

This is Matthew Harris Jouett’s portrait of Augustus Fielding Hawkins, made with oil on canvas. In the early 19th century United States, portraiture served as a crucial medium for solidifying social standing. Hawkins, depicted with a confident gaze and fashionable attire, clearly belonged to the upper echelons of society. The ruffled collar and tailored coat were visual codes of wealth and status. Jouett himself was one of the most successful portraitists in Kentucky, catering to the state’s emerging elite. Portraits like these reflected the values of a young nation striving to establish its own identity. They echoed European traditions, yet also asserted a distinct American character rooted in notions of self-made success. The commissioning of such works also served to legitimize the social hierarchy and power dynamics of the time. Understanding the portrait’s historical context requires us to delve into period documents, genealogical records, and studies of patronage. Only then can we fully appreciate the cultural and institutional forces that shaped its creation and reception.