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Benjamin Latrobe

Benjamin Latrobe
Artist
Charles Frederick Von Breda, 16 Aug 1759 - 1 Dec 1818
Sitter
Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 1 May 1764 - 3 Sep 1820
Date
c. 1790
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Stretcher: 18.1 × 13.3 cm (7 1/8 × 5 1/4")
Frame (estimate): 24.1 × 20.3 × 3.8 cm (9 1/2 × 8 × 1 1/2")
Topic
Interior
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Seating\Chair
Printed Material\Book
Costume\Dress Accessory\Eyeglasses
Equipment\Drafting & Writing Implements\Writing implement\Pen\Quill
Home Furnishings\Curtain
Benjamin Henry Latrobe: Male
Benjamin Henry Latrobe: Visual Arts\Architect
Benjamin Henry Latrobe: Science and Technology\Engineer\Civil engineer
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.2011.64
Exhibition Label
Born Yorkshire, England
Benjamin Latrobe brought a new level of sophistication to U.S. architecture. A British emigrant who trained in Germany, he adapted European Neoclassical style to iconic American buildings such as the U.S. Capitol and the White House. His innovative fire-proof construction saved both from destruction after the British set fire to them during the War of 1812 (1812–15).
Latrobe was just beginning his career when he posed for this portrait in London. A few years later, he departed for the United States, where he mentored a rising generation of architects, including Robert Mills, who designed this building.
Nacido en Yorkshire, Inglaterra
Benjamin Latrobe llevó la arquitectura de EE.UU. a un nuevo nivel de refinamiento. Inmigrante británico educado en Alemania, adaptó el estilo neoclásico europeo a edificios emblemáticos estadounidenses, tales como el Capitolio y la Casa Blanca. Su innovadora construcción a prueba de fuego salvó a ambos edificios cuando los británicos intentaron incendiarlos durante la Guerra de 1812 (1812–15).
Latrobe apenas comenzaba su carrera cuando posó para este retrato en Londres. Pocos años después partió hacia EE.UU., donde fue mentor de una generación incipiente de arquitectos, entre ellos Robert Mills, quien diseñó este edificio.
Provenance
Anders Rosendahl; A.E. Lyth, 1849; Emil Hultmark by 1942; his daughter, Carna Hultmark Moselius by 1959; Carl David Moselius; sold (Stockholms Auktionsverk 28 May 2009); (Ben Elwes Fine Art, London); purchased 2011 NPG
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Location
Currently not on view