John Syng Dorsey, M.D.

1819

Charles Goodman and Robert Piggot, after Thomas Sully

Associated Names
Charles Goodman

Artist, American, 1790 - 1830

Robert Piggot

Artist, American, 1795 - 1887

Thomas Sully

Artist After, American, born England, 1783 - 1872

This portrait depicts a man seated in a three-quarters position, facing right. He has a youthful countenance, prominent cheekbones, closely set eyes, and styled hair with curls. He wears formal attire with a high-collar coat over a waistcoat and cravat typical of early 19th-century fashion. His right arm rests on a chairback, his hand delicately poised against a book or similar object. The background consists of finely stippled grey tones, contrasting with the subject's detailed rendering. An inscription identifies him as John Syng Dorsey, M.D., a professor of anatomy at the University of Pennsylvania.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving in black on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Corcoran Collection

  • Dimensions

    image: 12.22 × 9.84 cm (4 13/16 × 3 7/8 in.)
    sheet: 18.73 × 11.59 cm (7 3/8 × 4 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2015.19.3619

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC; acquired 2015 by the National Gallery of Art

Associated Names

Inscriptions

lower right corner in graphite by unknown hand: 10
Text at bottom on plate:
Painted by T Sully. / Engraved by C. Goodman & R Piggot / As a Memorial of a Beloved Preceptor, / This Portrait of the Late / John Syng Dorsey M.D. / Professor of Anatomy in the University of Pennsylvania / Was caused to be Engraved by his Private Pupils [last line of incription has been trimmed]

Wikidata ID

Q77015117

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