John Singleton Copley (1738-1815)
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John Singleton Copley is regarded by most art historians as the finest painter of colonial America. Born in Boston to Irish immigrant parents, Copley was influence by famous portrait painter John Smibert, and mainly painted historical subjects and portraits.
Some of Copely’s portrait sitters eventually became important figureheads in American history, including one famous sitter, Paul Revere. This painting was actually hidden away in an attic by Revere’s family for many years because, at the time, this portrait was very unconventional. Revere is portrayed without a coat, which was unheard of for gentlemen of the time. He is pictured with a piece of silver, symbolizing his craft as a silversmith, which also may have made him look like a common workman to his family. However, there is much history behind this painting.
Painted in 1768, this portrait of Revere reveals much more than meets the eye. During this time, there was extreme political tension in America between the Whigs and the Tories. Revere was a Whig, and extremely political while Copley was somewhat indifferent to politics, though related to a family of Tories. Perhaps the reason why Revere chose to hold a silver teapot was politically motivated; a sly sarcastic nod to the tea drinking Tories. Furthermore, Revere is pictured wearing a linen shirt, made from cloth woven by local women. During this time, only imported linen was legal; and therefore, his absence of jacket was merely a way to display his locally made linen shirt and defy the Tories in the name of freedom. Despite the fact that Copley may have been more or less indifferent about politics, he signed the portrait in very small letters, signaling that most likely did not bring attention to himself from this painting. Nonetheless, this remains one of Copley’s most famous paintings today.
Copley would eventually immigrate to London in 1775, most likely due to the political tension in America. However, before he left, Copley made an undeniable mark on American art history.
Copley began to paint around 1753, studying the rococo style under Josheph Blackburn. This is where Copley adapted the practice of portrait d’apparat; the theory of painting a subject with objects that they used on a daily basis, or objects that defined their personality. It is this technique that makes Copley so distinctively different from any other colonial American painter of the time. Other than this very small amount of informal training, Copley was almost unbelievable self-taught.
Although Copley had gained a great deal of success in Boston for his exquisite portraits, he set his sights on expanding his name. In 1766, he sent his painting “Boy with a Squirrel” to the Society of Artists in London.
It received great praise from fellow American artist Benjamin West, who would eventually encourage Copley to move to London. Copley eventually did move, and it was there that his style changed dramatically.
Once in London, Copley began to paint less portraiture and more historical scenes.
In 1788, he painted another of his famous paintings, “Watson and the Shark.” It was this painting that began Copley’s theme of man vs. nature.
Copley lived the rest of his life in England, enjoying a moderately successful art career. Today his paintings are housed all over New England and England, and perhaps in your own home. Still wondering about a portrait hanging in your family estate? Contact us…it could be by John Singleton Copley.