William Popham 1842 - 1845

This is George Linen's portrait of William Popham. We don't know precisely when it was painted, but Linen was working in New York in the mid-19th century. Consider what it meant to have your portrait painted at this time. It signified status, wealth, and belonging to a particular social class. Popham’s attire, the book, and the trappings of wealth create a narrative of prominence and learning. But let's also reflect on who is absent from this image. Where are the stories of the working class, the enslaved, the immigrants, and the women who shaped this era? Linen’s painting invites us to consider not only who is represented in the art of this period, but also who is conspicuously left out. This portrait serves as a reminder of the power dynamics inherent in representation and the stories that remain untold.