Portrait of John Means

Joseph Oriel Eaton executed at least three known portraits of John Means of Kentucky. This portrait reveals Eaton's great skill as a draughtsman. While he painted landscapes, and a handful of classical scenes, it was as a portrait artist that he is best remembered. In an era when portraiture needed to depict the characteristics of the sitter as instantly recognizable to the viewer, Eaton was well suited to the task.