Collections record Beta

Pastel - Elihu Hubbard Smith (1771-1798)

2009-21-1

Pastel portrait of Elihu Hubbard Smith. Portrait shows profile of Smith from waist up. Wearing brown coat, white shirt, vest and cravat. Smith has short hair cut with longer pieces at neckline. Background shades of blues and greens. White mat board, pastel under glass. Wood frame treated with bronze/metallic colored paint.

Elihu Hubbard Smith was born in Litchfield, the son of Dr. Reuben Smith and Abigail Hubbard. He attended Yale, graduating in 1786 and then went on to study medicine in Philadelphia, PA. He first lived in Wethersfield, CT but moved to New York City in 1794. He soon established a reputation as a physician and man of literature. His home became the headquarters of the Friendly Club and center of literary society in the city. He became a physician to New York Hospital in 1796. In 1798 a yellow fever epidemic broke out. Smith worked tirelessly on his patients until he contracted the disease himself and died.

• Sharples, James, 1751-1811

1791

Frame 12 1/2" high x 10 5/8" wide

• paper
• pastel