The artwork titled “Samuel Adams” was created by artist Paul Revere in 1774. This piece is part of the Rococo art movement and falls within the portrait genre. It belongs to the series “Illustrations for the Royal American Magazine.”
In the artwork, the central focus is the portrait of Samuel Adams, rendered with meticulous detail, emphasizing his stern and resolute expression. Surrounding the oval portrait are symbolic figures and allegorical elements: a personified representation of Liberty holding a staff with a liberty cap, an angelic figure above the portrait, and another figure bearing a spear, all of which signify resistance to oppression. Below the portrait are inscriptions, including “laws to enslave America” and “Magna Charta,” underscoring themes of liberty and resistance. The intricate engraving, typical of Revere’s craftsmanship, delivers both a political statement and an artistic portrayal of a pivotal figure in American history.