Jacob Hurd 1759 - 1762

William Johnston painted this portrait of Jacob Hurd in colonial America. Hurd, a silversmith, is depicted holding a letter, a symbol of literacy and communication within the mercantile class. This portrait, like many from the period, reflects the sitter's social standing through dress and pose. Hurd’s coat and ruffled cuffs indicate his affluence, while the direct gaze suggests a man of business and substance. Made in a time of growing tension between the colonies and Britain, such portraits served to solidify the identity and status of the American merchant class. They presented an image of prosperity and self-assurance, subtly asserting the economic independence that would fuel the revolution. By examining such portraits alongside period documents like trade records and personal correspondence, we gain a richer understanding of the social and political forces that shaped early American society and culture.