John Singleton Copley (1738-1815) was the son of Irish immigrants, but was a native-born Bostonian. After his father passed away at an early age, his mother remarried a London trained engraver. By having an artist in the family, Copley was able to learn many of the prominent techniques that would later lead him to international fame. Throughout his career in America he was challenged by very few, his work was seen as groundbreaking. His early work mainly consisted of historical subjects he painted from engravings, but later he began doing portraits of Boston’s merchant class. These paintings were incredibly realistic and showed the character of the person portrayed, instead of a generalized portrait.

While in America, he created well over three hundred pieces that earned him fame and social status along the lines of his patrons. He also enjoyed traveling to complete commissions in New York, Philadelphia, Rhode Island, and other major areas. Since there were no actual schools in which formal artistic training was offered, Copley taught himself many of the different techniques. One technique he was able to master, was having more than one figure in the same portrait.

He did seek international fame though and sent a portrait of his half-brother, Boy with a Squirrel, to be exhibited by the Society of Artists in London. The portrait gained him recognition by leading artists of England, but they feared that he needed to travel abroad to strengthen his abilities. Copley wanted to travel abroad, but chose to wait. Before the American Revolution, Copley stayed out of politics and painted members of both sides (Americans and British). As the movement for freedom grew, Copley was unable to stay neutral. He then chose to leave Boston and travel throughout Europe before settling in England to learn from masters. While in England he earned the international fame he strived for. While in London he was granted full membership to the Royal Academy of Arts in 1779. He also became the first artist in England to hold an exhibition for just one piece. He charged admission to the public and encouraged them to order prints of the piece.

By: Jessica McKenzie

Credits and Sources:

Museum of Fine Arts Boston. “A Boy with Flying Squirrel (Henry Pelham).” Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Accessed September 12, 2016. http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/a-boy-with-a-flying-squirrel-henry-pelham-34280

Neff, Emily Ballew. “Copley, John Singleton.” American National Biography Online. Last modified February 2000. Accessed September 12, 2016. http://www.anb.org/articles/17/17-00180.html

O’Connor, Thomas H. Boston: A to Z. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2000.

Worcester Art Museum. “John Singleton Copley.” Worcester Art Museum. Accessed September 12, 2016.  http://www.worcesterart.org/collection/Early_American/Artists/copley/biography/