John Singleton Copley
Boston-raised John Singleton Copley was instructed in art by his stepfather, the mezzotint engraver Peter Pelham. After Pelham’s death, Copley taught himself using the few resources available in colonial Boston. By the age of 20 he was widely known as a portrait painter, recognized for his technical skills and his ability to capture the details of his sitters’ clothes—his patrons were pleased with his work, for they continued to commission portraits and recommend him to family and friends.
What did you learn from your parents?
William Vassall’s wealth came from his family’s plantations in Jamaica, and he was known for his luxurious lifestyle. He is shown here with his son Leonard, who stands beside him and gestures to an open book he is holding. Sargent delineated the details of their finery, such as the son’s polished metal buttons and the father’s smooth silk stockings, and even a dusting of wig powder on his shoulders.
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd
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