Samuel Humes 1822 - 1825

This is Jacob Eichholtz’s portrait of Samuel Humes, made with oil on canvas. These are the traditional materials of painting, but Eichholtz’s career speaks to a changing economic landscape for artists. In the early 19th century, there was a rising middle class, eager to participate in a culture previously reserved for the wealthy. Eichholtz was among the first American artists to make a living by painting portraits of this demographic. He traveled from town to town, setting up temporary studios. The relative speed and efficiency of his work meant that likenesses like this one became newly accessible. The painting is smoothly executed, without bravura brushwork. This would have appealed to Eichholtz’s patrons, who valued solid craftsmanship over overt displays of artistry. The sitter's sober expression is echoed by the neutral background and dark coat, lending an air of respectability and professional success. Even the simple turned wood whistle in his hand implies a connection to the world of making. The painting reminds us that all artworks are made in specific social circumstances, and that even a traditional portrait can tell us a great deal about the changing dynamics of labor and class.