John Custis IV (1678-1749)

John Custis IV was the son of John Custis III and Margaret Michael Custis. He married Frances Parke and was the father of Daniel Parke Custis, Frances Parke Custis, and John Custis. There are two versions of this portrait with similar iconography but by different artists. The artist of this portrait is unknown. The subject lived in Williamsburg and maintained a house at Arlington Plantation. It is unclear where this portrait hung. They appear to have descended together to Mary Custis Lee of Arlington House.

Dimensions: 33 7/8 x 25 11/16 in. (86.1 x 65.3 cm.)

The subject wears a brown jacket with large cuffs and a gray wig. He is turned to his right. His left hand is opening a book, which is standing upright. “Of the Tulip” is written on a page of the book. An orange tulip lies next to the book on a table.

See: Encyclopedia Virginia; The Custis Family Migration (Colonial Williamsburg Archaeology)