Thomas Corcoran c. 1802 - 1810

This portrait of Thomas Corcoran, painted by Charles Peale Polk, circa 1802 - 1810, depicts Corcoran seated in a chair, wearing a maroon jacket over a white shirt and holding a piece of paper in his right hand. The artist employed a simple composition and a neutral background to focus attention on the sitter. Polk was a prominent artist in the early American Republic known for his portraits and landscapes. This work exemplifies the style of American portraiture during this period, characterized by a direct gaze, formal attire, and a sense of realism.