John Singleton Copley
American·1738–1815
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John Singleton Copley (1738-1815) was the foremost American painter of the colonial era, known for his penetrating portrait style that captured both physical likeness and psychological depth.
Born in Boston, Copley was largely self-taught but achieved remarkable sophistication through study of prints and available European art. His portraits of Boston's elite, including Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, documented Revolutionary-era America with unmatched clarity.
In 1774, Copley moved to London, where he expanded into history painting. His masterwork Watson and the Shark (1778) pioneered the modern disaster painting genre. He was elected to the Royal Academy and spent the rest of his life in England.
Notable Works by John Singleton Copley
1 painting catalogued with museum locations
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About John Singleton Copley
Copley (1738-1815) was the leading American portrait painter of the colonial era. His works documented revolutionary Boston before he moved to London in 1774.
His penetrating colonial portraits (including Paul Revere and Samuel Adams) and his dramatic history painting Watson and the Shark, one of the first modern disaster paintings.
Major collections at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
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