Portrait of a light-skinned man in a long white wig and red-orange coat, holding a folded piece of paper and standing next to a desk, a large sailing ship off his left shoulder.

Richard Bill

1733

John Smibert American, born Scotland, 1688–1751

United States

The Scottish-born painter John Smibert studied in London and Italy before settling in Boston in 1728. His skills as a trained formal portraitist were in great demand among the wealthy and powerful colonists in Boston. Richard Bill was a prosperous merchant and politically involved citizen. Smibert depicted him dressed in fashionable costume and standing next to a writing table. A large ship is visible through the window in the background. These details hint at Bill’s success and prestige.

Oil on canvas

Arts of the Americas