Samuel Baldwin
ARTIST: Samuel T. Taylor (1800-1846) was a vernacular artist who worked in the central piedmont of Virginia during the second quarter of the nineteenth century. He lived in Buckingham County but traveled throughout the surrounding area of Appomatox, Campbell, Henrico, Louisa, and Prince Edward counties, painting many of the region’s successful planters and merchants.
RELATED OBJECTS: The MESDA Collection is also home to the companion portrait by Taylor of Baldwin’s wife, Mary Ann Womack (MESDA acc. 5888.2).
FRAME: Original yellow pine frame with black paint.
DESCRIPTION: Portrait of a man sitting and turned slightly to the left. He has gray hair and wears a high-collared shirt and cravat with a bow, a yellow waistcoat and, a dark coat. His left elbow rests on the back of an upholstered sofa with brass nails, and his left hand is holding a book labled “HOLY BIBLE” with his thumb between pages. The gentlman’s right hand is partially tucked into the waistcoat. Green drapery with gold tassels and fringe, a column, and a window are in the background.
