Samuel Verplanck Hoffman (1866–1942)

1907

Oil on canvas

Unframed: 54 × 36 in. (137.2 × 91.4 cm)
Framed: 66 1/4 in. × 48 in. × 4 3/4 in. (168.3 × 121.9 × 12.1 cm)

Painted for the New-York Historical Society

1909.13

The son of Rev. Eugene Augustus Hoffman and Mary Crooke (Elmendorf) Hoffman of New Brunswick, N.J., Samuel Verplanck Hoffman at first pursued a career in astronomy; he studied and taught the subject at Johns Hopkins University for several years until management of his father's extensive properties in New York demanded his full attention. After becoming a life member of the New-York Historical Society in 1901, Samuel continued a family legacy and succeeded his father as its president. He served from 1903-1912.

DescriptionA portrait of Samuel Verplanck Hoffman wearing a black suit and vest with a white shirt and burgundy tie. A white handkerchief protrudes from his left jacket pocket and, sticking out of his corresponding breast pocket, is a blue and gold metallic emblem. His brown eyes contain specks of brilliant blue and the presence of gray streaks in his mostly dark hair, beard and mustache reveal slight signs of aging. The subject's left hand, which is adorned with a blue pinky ring, clutches a gold object. His right hand, clenched in a fist position with the thumb jutting out, is pressing on a glass-top wooden desk, located to his right.

SignedSigned and dated lower right: "Carroll Beckwith / 1907"

ClassificationsPAINTINGS