called William Allen (1733-1793)

There is another portrait identified as William Allen. Both portraits descended in the family at Claremont Plantation, though it is not clear when this portrait entered the family’s collection there. This man looks older than William Allen would have been when Wollaston worked in Virginia. It is likely that this is another member of the Allen, Walker, or Lightfoot families. This portrait descended with one purported to be his wife. William Allen’s first wife was Clara Walker; his second wife was Mary Lightfoot. The Detroit Institute of Arts currently attributes the portrait to John Hesselius, but the facial features are stylistically more similar to Wollaston.

Dimensions: 36 x 28 1/2 in. (91.44 x 72.39 cm.)

This portrait shows a man wearing a plain gray jacket with gray waistcoat. His left hand is in his waistcoat, his right hand is not visible. He stands against a plain background, turned three-quarters to his left.

See: DIA Online Collections