Joel Roberts Poinsett

Edward Greene Malbone

1801 · Watercolor on ivory · The American Wing

Joel Roberts Poinsett (1779-1851) was a statesman—the first United States minister to Mexico—author, and botanist. He introduced to this country the Mexican flower later named for him: Euphorbia pulcherrima, commonly known as poinsettia. Malbone also portrayed Poinsett's sister, Susan, and Hugh Bridport (q.v.) portrayed Poinsett in later life.

Artist

Edward Greene Malbone

Date

1801

Medium

Watercolor on ivory

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1938