Sharp Delany 1799

Robert Field created this miniature portrait of Sharp Delany using ivory and watercolor. This was a period defined by nascent American identity and social hierarchy, where portraiture served to solidify status. Delany, a Philadelphia native, was a prominent figure, serving as the first Collector of Customs for the port of Philadelphia under President George Washington. His position tells us about the construction of early American governance and the individuals who shaped it. The portrait is a visual assertion of Delany's place within that new order. The delicate precision with which Field captures Delany’s likeness speaks to the intimacy and personal connection valued at the time. But, it is also a reminder of who had the privilege to be remembered and represented. In what ways do such portraits obscure as much as they reveal about this historical moment?