First published 1993
John Singleton Copley begins life near Boston's waterfront in 1738, surrounded by poverty and a colonial world that offers no formal training in art. The determined young man teaches himself to paint through relentless practice and study. Between 1753 and 1774, Copley creates portraits that capture his subjects with unprecedented realism and dimensional modeling, establishing himself as the finest artist the American colonies have ever produced. Yet Boston feels increasingly confining to him. He longs for great art to study and inspire him, while his patrons seem to undervalue his work. Political tensions escalate around him as the Boston Tea Party and other revolutionary events unfold. His loyalist ties make life dangerous and unstable. In 1774, encouraged by renowned artists Joshua Reynolds and Benjamin West, Copley makes a pivotal choice to leave America for London. This decision transforms both his life and his art for the next four decades. European galleries and masters expand his vision dramatically, leading him to create vast historical paintings depicting war, politics, and religion.
Genres: biography, art, historical-fiction, art-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water
Setting: Boston, London
Period: 18th Century, Colonial America
139 pages · Hardcover · Fordham University Press