The artwork entitled “Portrait of Sea Captain John Murphy” was created by the artist Joshua Johnson in the year 1810. Rendered in oil on canvas, this piece belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and falls within the portrait genre. The artwork is currently housed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC, US.
In the artwork, a sophisticated and stoic demeanor of a male figure occupies the central space. The subject, identified as Sea Captain John Murphy, is depicted wearing formal attire common to the early 19th century. His dark coat, adorned with brass buttons and complemented by a white cravat, contrasts sharply with the deep red backdrop. Johnson’s use of color and texture emphasizes the subject’s composed expression and erect posture, indicative of his status and profession. The painting’s simplicity and directness are characteristic of the Naïve Art style, enriching its historical and cultural appeal.