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Primary sourcePaintingc. 1783

Portrait of Thomas Paine by Charles Willson Peale

Charles Willson Peale · c. 1783

A mezzotint portrait of Thomas Paine seated with a book inscribed with his own writings, painted by Charles Willson Peale around 1783.

This portrait shows Paine at the height of his fame as a Revolutionary hero, referencing his pamphlet 'Common Sense.'

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Monochrome mezzotint portrait of a balding man seated at a table, his right hand raised to his chin. A book on the table is inscribed 'In the Cause of Liberty and My Country' and 'Common Sense'. An inkstand and quill sit at the right edge, with dark drapery behind him.
Charles Willson Peale, Portrait of Thomas Paine, c. 1783. Independence National Historical Park.

About this source

What it is

This is a mezzotint portrait of Thomas Paine, created by the artist Charles Willson Peale around 1783 in Philadelphia. It is held by Independence National Historical Park.

Why it matters

Peale painted many leading figures of the American Revolution, and this work places Paine among that gallery of patriots. The book on the table, inscribed with lines referencing 'Common Sense,' points directly to Paine's most famous pamphlet and his role as a celebrated voice for American independence.

Look closer

  • Why might Peale have included a book with the title of Paine's writing visible?
  • What does Paine's pose—hand to chin, near an inkstand and quill—suggest about how he wanted to be remembered?
  • What does this portrait leave out about Paine's life and later reputation?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Thomas Paine on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Thomas Paine sources

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Title page of the 1776 Philadelphia pamphlet Common Sense, addressed to the Inhabitants of America, printed by R. Bell in Third Street. Handwritten annotations include a name in the top corner and Thomas Paine's name near the bottom.Book

Primary source

Common Sense

Thomas Paine · 10 January 1776

Photograph of the first page of a printed 1776 pamphlet titled The American Crisis, Number I, by Thomas Paine, with handwritten annotations at the top reading 'by Thomas Paine' and 'published in the Penn. Journal' and 'June 1776'. The printed text begins 'These are the times that try men's souls.'Book

Primary source

The American Crisis

Thomas Paine · 1776-1783

Title page of Rights of Man, reading 'Rights of Man: Being an Answer to Mr. Burke's Attack on the French Revolution, by Thomas Paine, Secretary for Foreign Affairs to Congress in the American War, and Author of the Work Intitled Common Sense. London: Printed for J. S. Jordan, No. 166, Fleet-Street. MDCCXCI.' Handwritten ink marks appear in the upper right corner.Book

Primary source

Rights of Man

Thomas Paine · 1791-1792

Title page of The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine. Text reads: 'The Age of Reason; Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology. By Thomas Paine, Secretary for Foreign Affairs to Congress in the American War, and author of the works entitled Common Sense, and Rights of Man, &c. Paris: Printed by Barrois. London: Sold by D. I. Eaton, at the Cock and Swine, No. 74, Newgate-street. 1794. Price two shillings.'Book

Primary source

The Age of Reason

Thomas Paine · 1794-1807

Scan of the engrossed Declaration of Independence on aged parchment. Heading reads 'In Congress, July 4, 1776' with the title 'The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America' below. Dense handwritten text fills the page; signatures appear at the bottom.Document

Primary source

Declaration of Independence

Continental Congress (drafted by Thomas Jefferson) · 1776

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