The Poet John Trumbull (1750–1831) 1820

This is Peter Maverick's portrait of The Poet John Trumbull, made with engraving, sometime between 1780 and 1831. The close-up composition frames Trumbull's face and upper body, creating an intimate encounter with the viewer. Notice the intricate network of fine lines forming a subtle tonal range, defining form through density and direction. The subject's gaze, though fixed, seems to question the viewer, creating a dialogue across time and space. The engraver’s meticulous technique transforms the two-dimensional surface into a play of light and shadow. The print engages with philosophical ideas about perception and representation. The engraving technique itself—a process of controlled destruction and reconstruction of the surface—mirrors the poet's own creative act. It destabilizes the notion of a fixed, singular image. Through the use of line, Maverick has captured Trumbull’s likeness and initiated a conversation about the nature of portraiture itself, reminding us that images are not merely reflections but constructed interpretations.