Portrait of Major David Coffin

Maker John Brewster, Jr. (American, 1766 - 1854)

Additional Title(s)

One of a Pair of Portraits of Major David Coffin and Elizabeth Stone Coffin

Collections

Jonathan and Karin Fielding Collection

ClassificationsPAINTINGS

Date1801

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensionsframe: 41 x 34 x 2 in. (104.1 x 86.4 x 5.1 cm.) frame opening: 33 3/4 × 26 3/4 in. (85.7 × 67.9 cm.)

Description"One of a pair of portraits of Major David Coffin (1763-1838) and Elizabeth Stone Coffin (1767-1811) of Newbury, Massachusettes. (See also Portrait of Elizabeth Stone Coffin.)"

SignedAe 49 June 13, 1801 J. Brewster Pinxt Major; and on the top of the stretcher is written “Maj David Coffin” in chalk

Credit LineJonathan and Karin Fielding Collection

Status

On view

Label TextThis portrait is paired with that of Elizabeth Stone Coffin, which hangs to the far left. Unusually, both portraits are signed and dated, Elizabeth's to June 10, 1801, and Daniel's to June 13, 1801. Brewster, who was deaf from birth, learned to paint from a minister. His family was well connected - his father was a physician and sat in the Connecticut General Assembly - and he utilized those networks to secure commissions in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine, where he later moved. Though early systems for sign language existed, education of the deaf was by no means standardized, and the extent of Brewster's abilities to communicate are unclear, though obviously he was not hindered in his career as an artist.

Object numberL2015.41.165