A Painting Purported to Depict Abraham Clark, a Signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey, and His Family

An Object Case Study

Abstract

This article investigates a painting in the National Gallery of Art purportedly depicting New Jersey signer of the Declaration of Independence Abraham Clark.  This painting is dated 1822, nearly thirty years after Clark's death, making it dubious that he was the subject.  Drawing on extensive genealogical sources and nineteenth century newspapers, this article finds extensive evidence to debunk claims that the painting depicts Abraham Clark.