The print was designed by Edward Savage, an important American portrait painter and engraver, well known for his painted portraits of George and Martha Washington. From 1791 to 1793, he studied abroad in London, possibly with Benjamin West, and learned the technique of stipple engraving. Since stipple engraving creates luscious tone by distributing a pattern of dots of various sizes and densities across an image, it is excellent for simulating a life-like appearance in portraits.

Here, Savage presents an iconic image of John Adams, who served in 1774 on the First Continental Congress, helped to draft the Declaration of Independence, and became the first vice president and the second president of the United States. The artist originally created this composition as a painted portrait, followed by this print version to disperse to a wider audience.