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Samuel Lovett Waldo was an early American painter born in Windham, Connecticut. He was a very successful portrait painter in his time and was praised for the way he captured his sitters’ expressions and personality, as well as their realistic likenesses.

Waldo left home at the age of 16 to study with Joseph Stewart in Hartford, Connecticut. After studying under Stewart, Waldo painted signs for a while to support himself and eventually opened his own portrait studio in Hartford.

He eventually became friends with a man from South Carolina, named John Rutledge, who invited him south to paint commissioned portraits. These turned out to be very successful for Waldo and helped to build his reputation as a great portrait painter.

In 1806, Waldo left for London where he studied under Benjamin West for nearly three years. In 1809, he returned to the states and opened a studio in New York where he remained until his death in 1861. In 1847, Waldo was elected to be an associate of the National Academy and had many students including William Jewett, who eventually became his partner. Together, Waldo and Jewett executed a number of works that proved to be very successful collaborations.

It is thought that Waldo painted the faces of the sitters, and Jewett painted the curtains, clothing and decoration. Many also believe that the pair collaborated together until he retired in 1854; however, paintings attributed to both exist past that year. It is believed that he did not continue to paint after he retired for the following seven years until his death in 1861, but there is always the possibility that he came out of retirement for some time or simply continued to paint for the sheer enjoyment of it. Though they are lesser known, Waldo also created landscapes and Old Master copies during his long and prolific career.

Still wondering about an heirloom portrait hanging in your family’s estate? Contact us…it could be by Samuel Lovett Waldo.