Skip to main content

Primary sourcePainting1792

Thomas Paine

Laurent Dabos · 1792

An oil portrait of Thomas Paine painted from life in 1792 by Laurent Dabos, during his revolutionary years in France.

This life portrait of Paine was painted during his revolutionary years in France in 1792.

Ask Thomas Paine about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Oil portrait of an older man with gray wavy hair, wearing a dark coat and white cravat, seated in a green upholstered chair with a carved gilt frame, set within an oval border.
Laurent Dabos, Thomas Paine, 1792. National Portrait Gallery.

About this source

What it is

This is an oil portrait of Thomas Paine painted in 1792 by Laurent Dabos. It shows an older man with gray wavy hair, wearing a dark coat and white cravat, seated in a green upholstered chair, set within an oval frame. It is held by the National Portrait Gallery.

Why it matters

The portrait was painted during Paine's time in France, where he was active in the French Revolution. Having a portrait painted from life captures how Paine appeared and was presented at a key moment in his career, when he was a famous and controversial figure across both America and Europe.

Look closer

  • What does Paine's clothing and posture suggest about how he wanted to be seen?
  • Why might an artist choose to paint Paine during this particular period of his life?
  • What might this formal portrait leave out about Paine's more radical and controversial 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

Meet the AI Thomas Paine →
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

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Thomas Paine now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions