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John Singleton Copley

1738-1815

American Colonial Era Portraitist and Historical Painter

One of the Greatest Painters Of All Time

Stylistically influenced by the following painters - Peter Pelham, John Smibert,  Benjamin West,  Thomas Gainsborough, and John Constable

Education - His stepfather was well known Colonial artist, Peter Pelham. He worked in Pelham's studio and had access to hundreds of prints by artist of the Renaissance

Watson and the Shark, 1777 by John Singleton Copley

Description of John Singleton Copley's Painting style

 Copley was the most gifted American painter of the Colonial Era. He excelled in classical portraiture, religious themes and romanticized contemporary history painting.. According to his biographer, Mary Schell Hoke Bacon,  "He liked best to paint "interiors"--rooms with fine furniture and curtains, women in fine clothing and men in embroidered waistcoats and bejewelled buckles." He was born in Boston but later traveled through out Europe before settling in London where he was well regarded for his intellect and exacting technical abilities.  Copley's style was influenced by both Neoclassicism and Romanticism.  His paintings are characterized by technical dexterity. realism, and straightforward emotion.

John Singleton Copley Portraits

Mrs. Edward Green (Mary Storer) c. 1765

Captain Gabriel Maturin by John Singleton Copley

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