The Artist that Gave Color to the American Revolution

Megan Schultz Historical Paper Junior Division

Word Count: 2,369

In 1774, John Singleton Copley went against the grain of many (English) artists and

traveled to Europe during the uprising of the American Revolution. Copley painting portrait such

as Paul Revere which, has now given modern historians, student, teachers, and many others a

face to iconic figures in the war.

John Singleton Copley was born July 3, 1738 in a poor little house in Boston. His

father, Richard, and his mother ,Mary, were tobacco farmers. Copley was young his

father had passed away. He was around 10 years old his mother

Peter Pelham. Peter was an engraver from London and usually

used the technique “mezzotint” (it is the technique used to

engrave a copper or steel plate to which its surface has been

roughed but, also smooth in some other areas to give the

appearance of a multi-dimensional figure). Peter engraved many

things; one piece of work he engraved of Cotton Mather (which is seen in the image 1

above). He worked alongside John Smibert, while John painted the portraits and other

subjects to where Peter Pelham would engraved them. One of their works is Sir William 2

Pepperrell. With Peter working at home it is safe to say that Copley had been exposed

to all of this artwork, therefore that you could also assume that Peter taught Copley

some of his techniques. Later Mary and Peter Pelham had a son named Henry Pelham.

1 Pelham, Peter. “Cotton Mather.” The Met , The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, 2016, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/366158. This is a painting by Peter Pelham. Peter was a huge influence on Copley. 2 Pelham, Peter, and John Smibert. “Sir William Pepperrell.” The Met , The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2016, metmuseum.org/exhibitions/view?exhibitionId=%7B82fcd970-f644-4b3d-a56e-1ae8b2548725%7D&oid=404532. This is to prove that Peter Pelham and John Smibert worked together in Boston.

1

Copley’s biggest inspiration, Peter Pelham, sadly past away in 1751. Copley and

Henry had to help their mom support their tobacco farm. Copley tried engraving in 1753

when he engraved Reverend William Welsteed . He knew that he wouldn’t make enough

money just engraving so in 1754 he picked up a paintbrush and painted Galatea .

Galatea faired well with the public and as you could imagine Copley stuck with his new

found craft.

Copley painted multiple paintings in Boston.Which, unbeknownst to him, were

historic figures in America’s fight for freedom. One of these

paintings is Paul Revere, with Paul Revere in a rolled up shirt

and is holding a finished coffee pot but it is not engraved . At 3

this time Paul Revere was known for his silversmith which in

turn allowed him to have a portrait painted by Copley because

of his silversmith work.By age 30 Copley was earning more

profit than his own parents. The reason for this is his paintings

were expensive, Copley was making about 300 guineas or about 314.28 U.S dollars

today per year (that may not seem like a lot today but, back in the late 1700’s money

went a lot further).

The Paul Revere painting was just another painting until 1775 because it gave

people a face to the person that rode on horseback to warn John Hancock and Samuel

Adams of the British marching to arrest them both.

3 Copley, John Singleton. “Paul Revere.” Carolyn A. and Peter S. Lynch Gallery, Boston, 1768. This the first major painting that Copley painted in London.

2

Copley also painted a portrait of John Hancock (known as one of the people to

sign the Declaration of Independence), Samuel Adams (who also signed the

Declaration of Independence), and Mercy Otis (was a writer that documented instances

that she witnessed of the Revolutionary war). Copley’s amazing artwork was gaining

notice, however it wasn’t just his art getting noticed. He was married to Susanna

Farnham in 1769. Copley used his money to buy them a residence on Beacon Hill.

While staying at his residence Copley painted a portrait of George Watson.

Copley started to exchange letters in 1739 with multiple people, some of whom

are: Henry Pelham, Benjamin West, Myles Cooper, and G.W. Schilling. Benjamin West

(one of the heads in the royal art academy). Some of these letters included Copley

asking for art supplies and Benjamin West complimenting him on his work. For

example, “I am persuaded you are the most desirous of hearing the remarks that might

have been made in the midst of the painting world have the greater opportunity of

hearing them. Your picture first fell into Mr. Reynold’s hands to

have it put into the exhibition as the performance of a Young

American: he was greatly struck by the piece,” This portion of 4

the letter was written to Copley in regards to his painting, “Boy

with Flying Squirrel” (shown below). The beautiful portrait of 5

Copley’s half-brother, Henry Pelham, was painted to prove all he

could to Sir Joshua Reynolds who was one of the “Leading

4 West, Benjamin. “Benjamin West to Copley.” Letters &Amp; Papers of John Singleton Copley and Henry Pelham 1739-1776 . Letter written to Copley in regards to his painting, Boy with Flying Squirrel. 5 Copley, John Singleton. “Boy with Flying Squirrel.” Carolyn A. and Peter S. Lynch Gallery, Boston, 1765.This painting is Copley’s step brother, Henry Pelham

3

English artists” ( Sir Joshua was one of the heads of the royal art academy alongside

Benjamin West) so to have him compliment Copley’s work was a huge boost to him.

Also in the same letter that Copley received from Benjamin West, he found out that

Benjamin is originally from America . He states, “As I am from America, and know the 6

little opportunities is to be had in their way of painting…you should make a visit to

Europe. “Benjamin West wanted Copley to go to Europe to study and to showcase 7

more of his paintings. Although Copley yearned to go to Europe he had much to lose;

he could lose his steady pay, without him being in Boston who would take care of his

family, and he would be traveling into the unknown. While these are all true there were

pros to traveling abroad such as, it would increase not only his skills but his fame within

the painting world and he could also earn a lot more that he was originally in Boston.

Copley pondered over the matter for many years; then in 1774 he made a life

altering decision. John Singleton Copley was going to go to Europe.Some factors that

swayed his decision.One of the factors being that the revolution was starting and people

weren’t appreciative of his work. Copley explained this to Benjamin West; his exact

words were:

”The people generally regard it no more than any other useful trade, as they

sometimes term it, like that of a carpenter tailor or shoemaker not as one of the most

6 West, Benjamin. “Benjamin West To Copley.” Received by John Singleton Copley, Letters and Papers of John Singleton Copley and Henry Pelham , vol. 71, Kennedy Graphics, 4 July 1914, New York, NY, pp. 43–45. Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society . The book is filled with letter to and from Copley. 7 West, Benjamin. “Benjamin West To Copley.” Received by John Singleton Copley, Letters and Papers of John Singleton Copley and Henry Pelham , vol. 71, Kennedy Graphics, 4 July 1914, New York, NY, pp. 43–45. Collections of the5 Massachusetts Historical Society . As I am from America, and know the little opportunities is to be had in their way of painting…you should make a visit to Europe.” There is also this quote,” wonderful performance.” Lastly this quote,” ...how little opportunities.”

4

noble Arts in the World.” Although America was his home, he wanted to aspire to be 8

better things.

Conflicts between America and Britain were on the rise. The British acted as

though America was just a place to pay for debt. In 1765 the quartering act was put into

place which set Americans into an outrage. The quartering act made the Americans pay

for British soldier's residences. After that, in 1773, the colonists were required to pay

taxes on imported goods such as tea. This lead to the Boston tea party on December 16

of 1773 which Paul Revere participated in. With tons of tea dumped into the Boston

harbor, the Boston Port act was put into place until all of the tea lost was paid for.

In 1774 John Singleton Copley left America, on the Thomas, to study in Europe.

If Copley would have left nine days later, he wouldn’t have been able to go to

Europe-the Boston port was closed due to the Boston Port act. Unlike his step father

who came from London, he decided to go Europe. When he arrived in London he was

praised for his, “wonderful performance,” on the Boy with a Flying Squirrel. The Boy with

a Flying Squirrel was put on exhibition of the Society of Arts. All of the people that

reviewed his painting (before it was put on display) Benjamin West, Joshua Reynolds,

Captain R.G. Bruce all said that,”...how little opportunities.” This statement means that

they understand the circumstances that Copley is going through and they encouraged

him to come to Europe to have more opportunities to paint and to learn. Copley had no

former training in painting. The only thing close to training is what it is to be assumed his

stepfather, Peter Pelham, taught him.

8 Copley, John Singleton. “Copley to (West or Captain R.G. Bruce?).” Letters &Amp; Papers of John Singleton Copley and Henry Pelham , pp. 65–66. This is a letter written by Copley expressing his displeasure in the Americas.

5

Copley was a driven man as he wanted to not only

be a painter but he wanted to be a historian. He wanted

to be famous and make it big. He proves this by going to

Europe, and showed what a small town American painter

could do. When he was in Europe he painted Watson

and the Shark . Watson and the Shark is,” dramatic

rendering of a shark attacking 14-year-old Brooke

Watson,” . Watson and the Shark , once again, caught the eye of the public. 9

Copley was getting what he wanted, to

be known and was doing just that as

he had dreamed. What made Copley’s

work different from all of the other

painters was that his works were life

like. Copley gave personality to his

subjects. For example this painting by

John Smibert of Richard Bill (on the

left), and Copley’s John Hancock (on the right), have major differences in their life like 10

qualities . One of them being the background, in John Smibert painting the background 11

9 Copley, John Singleton. “Watson and the Shark.” Mueum of Fine Arts Boston, Boston, 1778, www.mfa.org/collections/object/watson-and-the-shark-30998. This is a painting on display at the Museum of Fine Art Boston. 10 Smibert, John. “Richard Bill.” Art Institvte Chicago , Art Institvte, Chicago, 2016, www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/49702. I used this painting to help me prove that Copley's work was different from other artists of his time. 11 Copley, John Singleton. “John Hancock.” Museum of Fine Arts Boston , MFA, Boston, 1765, Classroom.google.com/c/MjEzOTM2NTY4OFpa. Used as a comparison to one of John Smibert work.

6

is more of a matte where in John Copley's painting the background has layers. You can

see the curtain and all of the layers that go into that, including the plain wall behind it.

This is one of the reasons that Copley was noticed; the personality he gave to his

paintings. Copley studied the “old masters” work to pick up new techniques. Copley was

in Rome studying the old master’s work for almost seven months straight where every

day he would get up and get ready to study.

Copley wanted to eventually to travel back to America, however the war

was getting worse. He learned from a letter that his wife wrote that his family, which

remained in America, had been kicked out of their residence on Beacon Hill. Copley

asked his wife and his four children to join him in Europe. Fifteen months after Copley’s

departure from Boston, and after his travels around Europe, found himself making his

way back to London. Copley, like every husband should be, was scared for his wife and

his children’s safety. With Copley painting a portrait of George Watson, who stayed with

him for a while, found an angry mob had come to their house only a couple weeks later

looking for George Watson . 12

Copley, being an artist, painted a painting in 1776-77 of his family once they

arrived in London. The painting shows his wife, his four children, and Richard Clarke

(his father-in-law). Copley turned away from his sketches and turned his attention to his

son, three daughters, and his wife. Richard Clarke had Susanna, the youngest of the

four, in his lap trying to get his attention with a rattle. His oldest daughter, Betsy, is

12 Copley, John Singleton. “Portrait of Colonel George Watson.” Khan Academy , Khan Academy, New Oleans, 2016, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-americas/british-colonies/colonial-period/a/copley-the-copley-family2. Prove that Copley painted a portrait of George Watson.

7

staring off into the distance-she appears lost in thought. John Jr., the only boy, is sitting

in his mother's lap. Lastly, Mary, who is younger than her brother, lies on the sofa next

to her mother and John Jr. Copley took the time and the care on each person in this

painting. If you look close enough each family member has their own eye color and has

very realistic eyes. The positions that each person is in gives them their own creative

personality. For example, you could say Betsy is very thoughtful. She is staring off into

space, lost in thought . Also, you could tell who is a Mama’s boy; John Jr. is looking up 13

at his mother adoringly. Copley painted himself in a

way to where you could say that he would lose

everything for his family. He would drop everything

for them, even art. Copley painted himself looking

away from his sketches and towards his family.

Copley had left his family for multiple months and the

only way to communicate was by letters which would

take weeks to deliver. When he traveled abroad he risked his relationship with his family

and with conflicts between the British and America becoming more concern he could

have lost them.

Copley’s paintings towards his older days did not show the Copley

everyone knew. One of his works, George IV as Prince of Wales (1804-1810), was said

to be done poorly. To an eye that is not trained to notice little things, the painting looks

13 Copley, John Singleton. “The Copley Family.” National Gallery of Art , National Gallery of Art, 2016, www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/Collection/art-object-page.46098.html#overview. I used this painting to show how much Copley loved his family.

8

fine but to others, they would say that the main subject was nicely done. However, the

people, scenery, and horses in the background are poorly

done . Copley was visited by Samuel F.B. Morse who 14

wrote,” His powers of mind have almost entirely left him; his

late paintings are miserable-it is really a lamentable thing

that a man should outlive his faculties.” Copley eventually 15

died on September 9, 1815, due to heart complications.

Copley wanted to be known, he accomplished

that, we know him as the artist who painted the revolution.

He painted portraits of: Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Mercy Otis (Mercy Otis is a

writer that wrote about the revolution).Over all Copley was an accomplished artist, as

mentioned before towards the end of his life he was losing the artistic touch but that

didn’t stop him from painting.

Today 177 of his paintings are at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, 5 of

which are on display. Also there is also a place in Boston Back Bay named Copley Square.

Copley square has a hotel also named after Copley and it is ironically surrounded by the John

Hancock building. In Copley square there is a statue of Copley by, Lewis Cohen in 2002. Also

there is another work of art called the Tortoise and Hare, done by Nancy Schon in 1994. This

sculpture was made in celebration for the 100 year of doing the Boston Marathon.

14 Copley, John Singleton. “Portrait of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales.” Museum of Fine Arts Boston , MFA, Boston, 2016, www.mfa.org/collections/object/portrait-of-h-r-h-the-prince-of-wales-at-a-review-attended-by-lord-heathfield-general-turner-col-bloomfield-and-baron-eben-col-quinton-in-the-distance-32175. One of Copley's last paintings-Copley was not praised for this painting. 15 LoveToKnow. “John Singleton Copley Facts.” John Singleton Copley Facts , LoveToknow, 2016, biography.yourdictionary.com/john-singleton-copley. "His powers of mind have almost entirely left him; his late paintings are miserable; it is really a lamentable thing that a man should outlive his faculties."

9

John Singleton Copley went against the grain and traveled to Europe to receive formal

training or painting. He made a name for himself and his family in both America and in Europe.

A portrait of Copley was painted by Gilbert Stuart. Stuart also painted a portrait of George

Washington. Although Stuart didn’t make his name as well-known as Copley- he did give us a

chance to see what Copley looked like from his personally view. Thanks to Copley we know

what Paul Revere, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and about 186 more people look like, 5 of

which are on display at the Boston Fine Arts Museum. Also thanks to Gilbert Stuart we know

what John Singleton Copley looks like. Together they helped paint the American Revolution.

10

Bibliography Primary- A view on cities. “Statue of Copley.” A View on Cities , 2016, www.aviewoncities.com/boston/copleysquare.htm. Gave me a brief history on Copley Square and the surrounding buildings. Copley, John Singleton. “Copley to (West or Captain R.G. Bruce?).” Letters &Amp; Papers of John Singleton Copley and Henry Pelham , pp. 65–66. This is a letter written by Copley expressing his displeasure in the Americas. Copley, John Singleton. “John Hancock.” Museum of Fine Arts Boston , MFA, Boston, 1765, Classroom.google.com/c/MjEzOTM2NTY4OFpa. Used as a comparison to one of John Smibert work. Copley, John Singleton. “Paul Revere.” Carolyn A. and Peter S. Lynch Gallery, Boston, 1768. This the first major painting that Copley painted in London. Copley, John Singleton. “Portrait of Colonel George Watson.” Khan Academy , Khan Academy, New Oleans, 2016, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-americas/british-colonies/colonial-period/a/copley-the-copley-family2. Prove that Copley painted a portrait of George Watson. Copley, John Singleton. “Portrait of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales.” Museum of Fine Arts Boston , MFA, Boston, 2016, www.mfa.org/collections/object/portrait-of-h-r-h-the-prince-of-wales-at-a-review-attended-by-lord-heathfield-general-turner-col-bloomfield-and-baron-eben-col-quinton-in-the-distance-32175. One of Copley's last paintings-Copley was not praised for this painting. Copley, John Singleton. “The Copley Family.” National Gallery of Art , National Gallery of Art, 2016, www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/Collection/art-object-page.46098.html#overview. I used this painting to show how much Copley loved his family.

11

Copley, John Singleton. “Watson and the Shark.” Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Boston, 1778, www.mfa.org/collections/object/watson-and-the-shark-30998. This is a painting on display at the Museum of Fine Art Boston. “Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.” Museum of Fine Arts, Boston , Museum of Fine Arts, 2016, www.mfa.org/. This website has numerous paintings that Copley painted and information behind the painting. Pelham, Peter, and John Smibert. “Sir William Pepperrell.” The Met , The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2016, metmuseum.org/exhibitions/view?exhibitionId=%7B82fcd970-f644-4b3d-a56e-1ae8b2548725%7D&oid=404532.This is to prove that Peter Pelham and John Smibert worked together in Boston. Pelham, Peter. “Cotton Mather.” The Met , The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, 2016, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/366158. This is a painting by Peter Pelham. Peter was a huge influence on Copley. Royal Academy of Arts Collections. “Error in Indexplus.” Error in Indexplus , Royal Academy of Arts Collectoin, www.racollection.org.uk This gave me a little bit of information of John Copley and his submissions. Smibert, John. “Richard Bill.” Art Institude Chicago , Art Institvte, Chicago, 2016, www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/49702. I used this painting to help me prove that Copley's work was different from other artists of his time. West, Benjamin. “Benjamin West To Copley.” Received by John Singleton Copley, Letters and Papers of John Singleton Copley and Henry Pelham , vol. 71, Kennedy Graphics, 4 July 1914, New York, NY, pp. 43–45. Collections of the5 Massachusetts Historical Society . As I am from America, and know the little opportunities is to be had in their way of painting…you should make a visit to Europe Secondary-

12

Ballew, Emily. “American National Biography Online: Copley, John Singleton.” American National Biography Online: Copley, John Singleton , Oxford University Pres, 2000, www.anb.org/articles/17/17-00180.html. This website is a secondary source because it was a biography which means it was written by someone else. However there are other sources at the bottom showing what sources this person used to write this. Barratt, Carrie Rebora. John Singleton Copley in America . New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1995. This book gave me information on what Copley did before he left for Europe. Biography.com Editors. “John Singleton Copley.” Biography.com , A&E Networks Television, 2 Apr. 2014, www.biography.com/people/john-singleton-copley-9257088#synopsis. The website gave me a very short summary of Copley's life, it did not provide information on his death. Frankenstein, Alfred V. The World of Copley, 1738-1815 . New York, Time-Life Books, 1970. I used this for the quote to prove that Copley was making a name for himself in Boston. Gale Research. “John Singleton Copley (1738-1815).” Encyclopedia.com , Gale Research , 1997, www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/american-art-biographies/john-singleton-copley.Although this is not a primary source it helped lead me to them by raising more questions. Independence Hall Association. “Timeline of the American Revolutionary War.”Ushistory.org , Independence Hall Association, Apr. 1995, www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.html. This website gave a timeline of the revolutionary war. I used this to get the years of the war. Kamensky, Jane. “When Colonial America's Greatest Painter Took His Brush to Europe.” Smithsonian.com , Smithsonian Institution, www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/when-colonial-americas-greatest-painter-took-his-brush-europe-180950192/. Background and also what Copley did in Europe. LoveToKnow. “John Singleton Copley Facts.” John Singleton Copley Facts , LoveToknow, 2016, biography.yourdictionary.com/john-singleton-copley. "His powers of mind have almost entirely left him; his late paintings are miserable; it is really a lamentable thing that a man should outlive his faculties." Pohnepei397. “Why Did the British Look towards the Colonists as a Source of Revenue during the Beginning of the American Revolution?” Enotes.com , Enotes.com, 11 Nov. 2013,

13

www.enotes.com/homework-help/why-did-british-look-towards-colonists-source-463069. The website provided information, that a college teacher wrote, to what the British thought of the colonists. The Famous People Website. “John Singleton Copley Biography.” Childhood, Life Achievements &Amp; Timeline , Famous People, www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/john-singleton-copley-3365.php. This website gave basic information on Copley. This information helped me find primary sources. The Gale Group. “John Singleton Copley Facts.” John Singleton Copley Facts , LoveToKnow, biography.yourdictionary.com/john-singleton-copley. “What Is a Guinea.” What Is a Guinea , Early Television Museum, www.earlytelevision.org/gneas.html. This website gave me what a guinea was- this helped because Copley was not paid in U.S dollars and to understand how much he was paid I had to convert it to U.S. . dollars. “Why Is Copley Square Named for Copley?” Boston 1775 , 6 Aug. 2007, boston1775.blogspot.com/2007/08/why-is-copley-square-named-for-copley.html. The website, although not a primary source, gave my background on Copley Square

14