Colonel Augustus James Pleasonton 1846

John Neagle's 1846 portrait of Colonel Augustus James Pleasonton is a classic example of American portraiture. The painting depicts the subject in a formal pose, wearing his military uniform and holding a sword and a pistol. Neagle, a prominent artist in the early 19th century, captured Pleasonton's dignified demeanor, while the background's cloudy sky hints at a sense of authority and power. This portrait, a testament to Neagle's skill, captures the essence of a prominent military figure during a period of significant social and political change in America.