Object Details
Artist
Laurent Dabos, 1761 - 1835
Sitter
Thomas Paine, 29 Jan 1737 - 8 Jun 1809
Exhibition Label
Born Thetford, England
“We have it in our power to begin the world over again,” Thomas Paine proclaimed in Common Sense. Published anonymously in January 1776 (just fourteen months after his arrival in Philadelphia from England), Paine’s pamphlet helped lay the groundwork for the Declaration of Independence in July. After war broke out, he continued to boost morale, beginning his series of Crisis essays (1776–83) with the words, “These are the times that try Men’s souls.”
Paine’s attacks on hereditary monarchy and his declaration of liberty and equality as fundamental rights made him a hero in revolutionary France. In response to public demand for his image, this portrait was painted as a model for engravings.
After fifteen years in Europe, Paine returned to the United States in 1802 to find his fortunes changed.
His assault on traditional religion in The Age of Reason
(1794–1807) had cost him friends and public support.
Nacido en Thetford, Inglaterra
“Tenemos el poder de empezar el mundo de nuevo”, proclamó Thomas Paine en Sentido común. Publicado anónimamente en enero de 1776 (14 meses después de llegar Paine a Filadelfia desde Inglaterra), el panfleto preparó el terreno para la Declaración de Independencia en julio. Tras estallar la guerra, Paine siguió animando al pueblo; su serie de ensayos La crisis americana (1776–83) comienza así: “Estos son tiempos que ponen a prueba el alma de los hombres”.
Los ataques de Paine a la monarquía hereditaria y su afirmación de que la libertad y la igualdad son derechos fundamentales lo convirtieron en héroe de la Francia revolucionaria. Ante la demanda de alguna imagen de él, esta pintura sirvió de modelo para hacer grabados.
De regreso a EE.UU. en 1802, tras 15 años en Europa, su suerte había cambiado. La edad de la razón (1794–1807), su ataque a la religión tradicional, le había costado amistades y el apoyo público.
Provenance
(Salamander Fine Arts, London); purchased 2008 NPG
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Date
c. 1792
Object number
NPG.2008.5
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Stretcher: 34 x 26cm (13 3/8 x 10 1/4")
Frame: 50.8 x 43.5cm (20 x 17 1/8")
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Exhibition
Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900
On View
NPG, East Gallery 142
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Seating\Chair
Thomas Paine: Male
Thomas Paine: Arts and Culture\Literature\Writer
Thomas Paine: Politics and Government\Statesman
Thomas Paine: Arts and Culture\Journalism and Media\Magazine editor
Thomas Paine: Science and Technology\Inventor
Thomas Paine: Social Welfare and Reform\Reformer\Humanitarian
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_NPG.2008.5