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18th and 19th Century American Paintings and Sculpture

Permanent Exhibition

Galleries 1, 4, and 5

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American paintings, from colonial portraits to Civil War-era landscapes, occupy the Gibbes Main Gallery. Portraits of leading political, social, and military figures include works by Jeremiah Theus, Henry Benbridge, Benjamin West, Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Sully and Samuel F.B. Morse. The gallery also features landscape and genre scenes by Angelica Kaufmann, Louis Mignot, Eastman Johnson, Conrad Wise Chapman, and William Aiken Walker. The paintings collection is complemented by examples of neoclassical sculpture on view in the Campbell Rotunda, and decorative art objects on loan from the Rivers Collection.

<i>The Unsuccessful Attack on the Fort on Sullivan's Island</i> (detail), 1776, by Henry Gray (American, d. 1821); watercolor on paper; 11 3/4 x 29 1/2 inches; Gift of Mrs. J. Drayton Grimke; 1907.002.0002
<i>Henriette Charlotte Chastaigner (Mrs. Nathaniel Broughton, 1700-1754),</i> 1711, by Henrietta De Beaulieu Dering Johnston (ca. 1674-1729); pastel on paper; 11 3/4 x 9 inches; Gift of Victor Morawetz; 1938.020.0004

Henriette Charlotte Chastaigner (Mrs. Nathaniel Broughton, 1700-1754), 1711, by Henrietta De Beaulieu Dering Johnston (ca. 1674-1729); pastel on paper; 11 3/4 x 9 inches; Gift of Victor Morawetz; 1938.020.0004

<i>Cymon and Iphigenia</i>, ca. 1780, by Angelica Kauffman (Swiss, 1741-1807); oil on canvas; 32 3/4 x 32 3/4 inches; Gift of Alicia Hopton Middleton; 1937.005.0015

Cymon and Iphigenia, ca. 1780, by Angelica Kauffman (Swiss, 1741-1807); oil on canvas; 32 3/4 x 32 3/4 inches; Gift of Alicia Hopton Middleton; 1937.005.0015

Kettle Stand, ca. 1750-60, Charleston, South Carolina; mahogany; 27 5/8 x 21 inches (diameter); Courtesy of The Rivers Collection

Kettle Stand, ca. 1750-60, Charleston, South Carolina; mahogany; 27 5/8 x 21 inches (diameter); Courtesy of The Rivers Collection

<i>Mrs. Robert Gilmor, Jr. (Sarah Reeve Ladson, ca. 1790-1866)</i>, 1823, by Thomas Sully (American, 1783-1872); oil on canvas; 46 1/2 x 39 inches; Bequest of Mrs. Leila Ladson Jones; 1942.010.0003

Mrs. Robert Gilmor, Jr. (Sarah Reeve Ladson, ca. 1790-1866), 1823, by Thomas Sully (American, 1783-1872); oil on canvas; 46 1/2 x 39 inches; Bequest of Mrs. Leila Ladson Jones; 1942.010.0003

<i>Bombardment of Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, 1863</i>, 1886, by William Aiken Walker (American, 1838-1921), oil on canvas; 28 x 43 3/4 inches; Museum purchase; 2001.032.0001

Bombardment of Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, 1863, 1886, by William Aiken Walker (American, 1838-1921), oil on canvas; 28 x 43 3/4 inches; Museum purchase; 2001.032.0001

<i>Faith</i>, ca. 1866, by Hiram Powers (American, 1803-1873); marble 27 3/4 x 19 x 13 inches; Museum purchase with funds from the McGuire Family Foundation; 2014.009.0001

Faith, ca. 1866, by Hiram Powers (American, 1803-1873); marble 27 3/4 x 19 x 13 inches; Museum purchase with funds from the McGuire Family Foundation; 2014.009.0001

<i>Thomas Middleton of The Oaks (1753-1797)</i>, 1770, by Benjamin West (American, 1738-1820); oil on canvas; 59 x 50 inches; Gift of Alicia Hopton Middleton; 1937.005.0014

Thomas Middleton of The Oaks (1753-1797), 1770, by Benjamin West (American, 1738-1820); oil on canvas; 59 x 50 inches; Gift of Alicia Hopton Middleton; 1937.005.0014

<i>The Unsuccessful Attack on the Fort on Sullivan's Island</i>, 1776, by Henry Gray (American, d. 1821); watercolor on paper; 11 3/4 x 29 1/2 inches; Gift of Mrs. J. Drayton Grimke; 1907.002.0002

The Unsuccessful Attack on the Fort on Sullivan's Island, 1776, by Henry Gray (American, d. 1821); watercolor on paper; 11 3/4 x 29 1/2 inches; Gift of Mrs. J. Drayton Grimke; 1907.002.0002