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Samuel Nicholson

Samuel Nicholson Oil on canvas
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Oil on canvas attributed to Christian Gullager, circa 1790s

83 cm x 68 cm; in frame 98.3 cm x 83.3 cm x 6.5 cm

Artwork 01.085


This portrait of Samuel Nicholson, a naval officer in the Revolution, is attributed to Christian Gullager (1759-1826).

Samuel Nicholson was born in Maryland in 1743. A naval officer in the Revolution, Nicholson was also a commissioned captain in the Continental navy in 1776, commanding the cutter Dolphin and the frigate Deane. He superintended construction of the Constitution and was its first commander. He served as superintendent of the Charlestown Navy Yard after 1801. Samuel Nicholson died in Charlestown, Mass., in 1811.