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Oil Painting - Benjamin Tallmadge and son, William Smith Tallmadge

1917-04-1

Oil on canvas, rectangular, full length portrait of Benjamin Tallmadge (1754-1835) seated, and his young son, William Smith Tallmadge (1785-1822) standing on his left with his arm resting on his father's left arm. Tallmadge sits with his arm resting on a table covered with green baize. He holds a piece of paper in this hand. He is on a green, red and gold Kidderminster carpet in geometric pattern. There is a bookshelf to the left, a green curtain either side. He wears a blue jacket, an embroidered white waist coat, yellow knee breeches, white hose and black shoes with gold buckles.

SITTER: Benjamin Tallmadge, born in Setauket, L.I., first married Mary Floyd (1763-1805) in 1784, later married Maria Hallett (1776-1838). Yale graduate 1773 and Washington's head of military intelligence during the Revolution, 1778-1783. Celebrated hero for capturing and revealing Major Andre. Settled in Litchfield after the war where he became a successful local merchant; a part owner in the Litchfield China Trading Company; the owner of B. Tallmadge and Co., a dry goods store; the first postmaster of Litchfield in 1792; the first president of the Litchfield Phoenix Bank Branch; treasurer of CT in 1789; a Federalist member of Congress from 1814-1826; and president of the Society of the Cincinnati 1801-1817. ARTIST: Ralph Earl was born in Worcester County, Massachusetts to a family of farmers and craftsmen. A Loyalist, Earl refused to fight during the Revolutionary War, eventually fleeing to England and leaving his wife and children. In England, Earl studied in the studio of well-known American artist and expatriate Benjamin West. He returned to America after the war with a new wife and established himself as a portraitist in New York. Alcoholism and growing debt landed Earl in prison from 1786 to 1788. With the aid of New York patrons, he regained his freedom through portrait commissions and settled in Connecticut. His straightforward portraits and occasional landscapes are noted for highlighting the achievements and material wealth of his Connecticut clientele.

• Earl, Ralph, 1751-1801

1790

79" H x 55" W; Frame: 83" H x 59" W

• canvas
• oil