Samuel Blodget, Jr. c. 1784

John Trumbull created this oil painting of Samuel Blodget, Jr. The composition is dominated by a formal portrait of Blodget. His confident posture and luxurious clothing draw the eye, while the shadowed backdrop and glimpses of a distant ship suggest his worldliness. The portrait is structured by a series of contrasts. Note the vivid reds and blues against the muted browns and greens. The sharp angles of the papers he holds are set against the soft curves of the draped fabric behind him. Here, Trumbull is playing with semiotics, using symbolic visual language to express the sitter's identity and aspirations. Blodget's posture and the nautical references are codes that signify trade, exploration and wealth. Yet the slightly theatrical staging also invites us to question such displays of status. Ultimately, Trumbull’s composition is about more than capturing a likeness. It's a complex visual statement about identity, aspiration, and the codes through which we construct meaning.