Portrait of David Wilson Jordan as a Dutchman, Thomas Pollack Anshutz

Episode 38 Jul-2005, Clair Robertson, History of Art Graduate Student I’m David Cateforis with another art minute from the Spencer Museum of Art. The Spencer’s “Portrait of David Wilson Jordan as a Dutchman,” was painted around 1899 by the Philadelphia artist Thomas Anshutz. In this commanding, lifesize portrait the bearded Jordan wears traditional Dutch garb -- black coat, pants, and hat -- and stares out at the viewer with a self-assured expression. Striking a familiar pose from the history of Dutch painting, Jordan stands with his right arm extended and resting on a cane, while his left arm is akimbo. Looking at his image, you may feel as if you are a part of an audience, awaiting a grand performance. And you may also want to know more about Jordan, and why this American is dressed as a Dutchman. David Wilson Jordan was a landscape painter and colleague of Anshutz, but he is best known today as a model for other artists. The old-fashioned Dutch theme in the Spencer portrait at first appears a puzzling choice for a picture painted at the turn of the twentieth century. However, the period following the American Centennial saw a fixation with all things Dutch - a phenomenon known as “Holland Mania.” And in painting this portrait, Anshutz participated in that trend. With thanks to Clair Robertson for her text, from the Spencer Museum of Art, I’m David Cateforis.