John Wollaston
Charles Carroll of Annapolis
1752-1753
Physical Qualities
Oil on canvas, Framed: 57 1/2 × 47 × 4 1/8 in. (146.1 × 119.4 × 10.5 cm.)
Sight: 48 1/4 × 38 in. (122.6 × 96.5 cm.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Caroline T. Fisher, Baltimore
Object Number
2008.27
London-born and trained, John Wollaston sought American patrons up and down the Eastern Seaboard at a time when talented portraitists were scarce in the colonies. Working in Maryland in the early 1750s, he painted at least 55 portraits. A number of Wollaston’s sitters were members of the Carroll family and their immediate connections. This likeness of Charles Carroll of Annapolis captures the affluent ease of a wealthy Maryland planter and lawyer known by his contemporaries as “the Squire.” Wollaston’s presence here is documented by a somewhat rapturous verse, “On seeing Mr. Wollaston’s Pictures,” published in the Maryland Gazette on March 15, 1753. It read in part, “BEHOLD the wond’rous Power of Art! That mocks devouring Time and Death, Can Nature’s ev’ry Charm impart; And make the lifeless Canvas breathe."
The Baltimore Museum of Art by bequest, 2008; Caroline Theobald Pennington Fisher (d. 2008), Baltimore, MD by descent, 1987; Marion Poor (1890-1967) and Charlotte Pennington Fisher (1889-1987), Baltimore, MD, likely by descent, 1962; Robert Goodloe Harper (1854-1920) and Caroline De Wolf Theobald Williams Pennington (1870-1962)(m. 1888), Baltimore, MD likely by descent, 1913; William Clapham (1829-1913) and Emily Louisa Harper Pennington (1835-1908)(m. 1853), Baltimore, MD likely by descent, 1867; Charles Carroll (1802-1837) and Charlotte Hutchinson Chiffelle Carroll Harper (1807-1867)(m. 1827), Baltimore, MD likely by descent, 1861; Robert Goodloe (1765–1825) and Catharine "Kitty" Carroll Harper (1778-1861)(m. 1801), Baltimore, MD likely by descent, 1832; Charles (1737-1832) and Mary "Molly" Darnall Carroll (1749-1782) (m. 1768), Annapolis, MD by descent, Charles (1702-1782) and Elizabeth Brooke Carroll (1709-1761)(m. 1757), Annapolis, MD by commission, 1753-1754
"Anywhere So Long As There Be Freedom: Charles Carroll of Carrollton, His Family & His Maryland," The Baltimore Museum of Art, 1975.
Ann C. Van Devanter, "Anywhere So Long As There Be Freedom: Charles Carroll of Carrollton, His Family & His Maryland," Baltimore: The Baltimore Museum of Art, 1975, p. 126-127.
On View at the BMA
