Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 11 works by Thomas Buchanan Read in our catalogue
In short
The Harp of Erin (1867) is the Thomas Buchanan Read painting that draws the most eyes; the original belongs to the Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati. After it, the eye goes to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1869) and Self Portrait (1860). Among the 11 works of Thomas Buchanan Read in our catalog, these 11 are the most famous, each a unique original presented with its year, its museum and the reason it endures.
The salt spray hangs heavy in the air as a woman sits perched upon the jagged rocks, her fingers dancing across the strings of a harp. She does not look at the instrument, nor does she look at the viewer; instead, her gaze drifts toward the vast, restless expanse of the ocean. The scene feels suspended in a moment of profound introspection. Above her, two birds cut through the sky,…
Thomas Buchanan Read painted this oil on canvas portrait in 1869. The subject is the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, captured in a formal bust-length composition. Read, an American painter and poet, utilized a realistic style to document the likeness of the celebrated literary figure.
In this "Self Portrait," the artist Thomas Buchanan Read gazes back from the canvas, meeting the viewer's eyes with a quiet, introspective intensity. Created about 1860, the work captures a moment of stillness in the life of a man who navigated the complex intersections of American art and literature. As both a painter and a poet, Read brings a dual sensibility to this representation, presenting a version of himself that…
In this 1860 oil portrait, we encounter a man of quiet gravity. The subject is presented in a three-quarter length view, his presence defined by a somber and classical atmosphere that commands immediate respect. He is dressed in the formal attire of the mid-19th century, wearing a dark frock coat over a waistcoat and a crisp white shirt, accented by a dark bow tie. His facial features are rendered with…
The oil portrait depicts a middle-aged man positioned in a three-quarter view, looking toward the right side of the frame. He is dressed in formal mid-19th-century attire, consisting of a black frock coat, a high white collar, and a dark cravat. A strong directional light source illuminates the right side of his face and his white shirt, creating a sharp contrast against the deep shadows on the left side of…
Thomas Buchanan Read's The Angel Appearing before the Shepherds is an oil painting dating to about 1870. The work captures a biblical moment of divine revelation and awe, centered on a celestial event. Under a dark night sky, a luminous angel appears to a group of shepherds, marking a significant intersection between the earthly and the divine.
This oil painting, titled Philip Henry Sheridan, is a work by the American artist Thomas Buchanan Read. Created about 1871, the piece captures a significant military figure from the American Civil War. The subject, Philip Henry Sheridan, was a Union general whose presence is rendered with a sense of historical weight and immediate action.
Thomas Buchanan Read produced Sheridan's Ride in 1871. This oil on canvas captures a specific military charge during the American Civil War. The work focuses on Union General Philip Sheridan's movement at the Battle of Cedar Creek.
The work before us is titled (Interior Scene with Sultan and Concubine), an oil on canvas created by the American artist Thomas Buchanan Read. Painted in 1847, this piece reflects a specific interest in the Romantic movement, capturing a moment of repose within a setting inspired by the legends of the Arabian Nights. It is a work that draws upon the literary atmosphere of those ancient tales to establish its…
In this oil on canvas, Thomas Buchanan Read captures the likeness of William Cullen Bryant. The sitter, a man who lived from November 3, 1794, to June 12, 1878, meets the viewer through a steady, quiet gaze. He was a man of letters, known for his work as a poet and a journalist. The portrait settles upon him with the weight of a settled mind, focusing on the architecture of…
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Thomas Buchanan Read | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 National Portrait Gallery |
Washington, D.C. | 3 | Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Philip Henry Sheridan, William Cullen Bryant |
 Harvard Art Museums |
Cambridge | 2 | Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894) |
 Cincinnati Art Museum |
Cincinnati | 1 | The Harp of Erin |
 Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal |
Cincinnati | 1 | Self Portrait |
 Dayton Art Institute |
Dayton | 1 | The Angel Appearing before the Shepherds |
 Museum of Fine Arts |
Boston | 1 | Sheridan's Ride |
 Smithsonian American Art Museum |
Washington, D.C. | 1 | (Interior Scene with Sultan and Concubine) |
 Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts |
Philadelphia | 1 | Flight of the Arrow |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
The work before us is titled (Interior Scene with Sultan and Concubine), an oil on canvas created by the American artist Thomas Buchanan Read. Painted in 1847, this piece reflects a specific interest in the Romantic movement, capturing a moment of repose within a setting inspired by the legends of the Arabian Nights. It is a work that draws upon the literary atmosphere of those ancient tales to establish its…
The oil portrait depicts a middle-aged man positioned in a three-quarter view, looking toward the right side of the frame. He is dressed in formal mid-19th-century attire, consisting of a black frock coat, a high white collar, and a dark cravat. A strong directional light source illuminates the right side of his face and his white shirt, creating a sharp contrast against the deep shadows on the left side of…
The salt spray hangs heavy in the air as a woman sits perched upon the jagged rocks, her fingers dancing across the strings of a harp. She does not look at the instrument, nor does she look at the viewer; instead, her gaze drifts toward the vast, restless expanse of the ocean. The scene feels suspended in a moment of profound introspection. Above her, two birds cut through the sky,…
Thomas Buchanan Read's The Angel Appearing before the Shepherds is an oil painting dating to about 1870. The work captures a biblical moment of divine revelation and awe, centered on a celestial event. Under a dark night sky, a luminous angel appears to a group of shepherds, marking a significant intersection between the earthly and the divine.
The Harp of Erin (1867), Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1869) and Self Portrait (1860) come next.
45 years old: The Harp of Erin dates from 1867, and Thomas Buchanan Read was born in 1822.
The Harp of Erin, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Self Portrait, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894), The Angel Appearing before the Shepherds, Philip Henry Sheridan, Sheridan's Ride, (Interior Scene with Sultan and Concubine) and William Cullen Bryant. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 11 works by Thomas Buchanan Read, dated from 1847 to 1871.
Mostly in National Portrait Gallery (Washington, D.C.), Harvard Art Museums (Cambridge) and Cincinnati Art Museum (Cincinnati). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1860s: 5 of the 11 works on this page were made then, The Harp of Erin among them.
On this page, the earliest is (Interior Scene with Sultan and Concubine) (1847) and the latest Philip Henry Sheridan (1871).
Man (8), Portrait (3) and White collar (3), across the 11 works on this page.
Oil On Canvas, for 9 of the 11 works on this page.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Philip Henry Sheridan and William Cullen Bryant: the National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C. holds 3 of the works on this page.
Thomas Buchanan Read (March 12, 1822 – May 11, 1872) was a prominent American painter and poet. His career spanned a period of significant social and political change in the United States, reflected in his diverse body of work.
Born in Corner Lake (now Ketcheson), Pennsylvania, Read’s early life instilled in him a deep appreciation for both artistic expression and literary pursuits. While formal art training was limited in his youth, he demonstrated an innate talent for drawing and painting. He pursued studies at the University of Pennsylvania but did not graduate, instead dedicating himself to developing his skills as an artist.
Read began his artistic journey primarily as a portrait painter, honing his technical abilities through meticulous observation and practice. However, he quickly expanded his repertoire to include historical scenes, landscapes, and genre paintings. His style was influenced by several factors:
Read created a diverse body of work throughout his career. Some of his most notable achievements include:
Alongside his painting career, Read was a prolific poet. His poetry often explored themes of nature, love, loss, and the human condition. He published several volumes of verse throughout his life, gaining recognition as a talented literary figure.
Thomas Buchanan Read played an important role in shaping American art during the 19th century. His ability to blend historical narrative with emotional depth and technical skill made him a sought-after artist of his time. He contributed significantly to the development of both painting and poetry in America, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire artists and scholars today. While not as widely recognized as some of his contemporaries, Read’s work offers valuable insights into the cultural and artistic landscape of 19th-century America.
Read's works have been exhibited in various galleries and museums throughout the United States, including:
