William Ellery 1835 - 1840

This is William G. Armstrong's rendering of William Ellery, made with graphite on ivory. Armstrong was a prominent artist in the mid-19th century, and in his portraits he captured the likenesses of prominent figures such as William Ellery, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. This portrait invites us to reflect on the construction of national identity. Ellery, a white male figure central to the founding of the United States, existed in stark contrast to those excluded from the narrative of nationhood, such as enslaved people or women. Through his work, Armstrong was not only capturing an individual's likeness, but he was also contributing to the visual record of a specific historical and social order. As you look at this portrait, consider the power dynamics inherent in representation and the ongoing project of reevaluating whose stories are told.