Ralph Earl (1751-1801)
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Ralph Earl was an American painter who painted portraits and historical scenes. Like so many other early American artists, Earl was mostly self taught and worked as an itinerant painter, traveling all over the colonies to paint. He was born in Massachusetts and moved to New Haven, Connecticut in the early 1770’s to work as a portrait painter. He returned to Massachusetts in 1774 to marry his cousin Sarah, whom he had a daughter with a few months later. However, Earl left them both to return to New Haven shortly thereafter.
In 1778, Earl left his wife and daughter for good, and traveled to London disguised as a servant for a British army captain. Once in London, he worked in the studio of Benjamin West, and painted many of Britain’s nobles including the king. Earl later married an English woman even though he never legally ended his first marriage, and brought his new wife back to America around 1786.
Back in America, Earl was living and working in New York and painted portraits of government officials and other important men of the time.
That same year he moved back, Earl was imprisoned for failing to pay his debts. He was released from jail in 1788, however, he made good use of his jail time and continued to paint and draw portraits of his visitors and friends and family even while he was in jail. It is thought that he created some 20 portraits while in jail.
Earl died in Connecticut in 1801 of apparent alcoholism. Today his work is housed all over New England, and perhaps in your own home. Still wondering about a family portrait hanging in your home? Contact us…it could be by Ralph Earl.
