John Russell

John Russell was an artist whose documented activity spanned a wide period, from 1700 to 1875. His recognized body of work in major institutional collections emphasizes portraiture, primarily executed as drawings. Records indicate that nine drawings and one John Russell painting are preserved in these collections.

The documented works focus consistently on formalized individual portraits. Specific identified subjects include Mrs. William Man Godschall (Sarah Godschall, 1730–1795) and William Man Godschall (1720–1802). Other notable portraits represented include Portrait of a Lady, Young Man Holding Statuette, and Portrait of a Man in a Tricorn Hat.

Russell’s historical relevance is substantiated by the inclusion of his works in prestigious American museums. Works attributed to the artist are held in the collections of the National Gallery of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The accessibility of these works as John Russell prints and drawings ensures their continued availability for historical research. Many of these museum-quality holdings are now considered public domain resources.