William B. Wood as 'Charles De Moor' 1811

Thomas Sully's "William B. Wood as 'Charles De Moor'" (1811) is a portrait painting depicting a man in a romanticized, heroic pose, reminiscent of historical figures. The subject, William B. Wood, is depicted as the title character from the play 'The Robbers,' a 1781 work by German playwright Friedrich Schiller, which explores themes of rebellion and familial conflict. Sully's portrayal captures a dramatic intensity through the subject's firm gaze and outstretched hand, emphasizing the figure's strength and conviction, common themes in Romantic era artwork.