James Claypoole: A Summary
Here’s a summary of the details provided about James claypoole:
Who he was:
An early American portrait painter, primarily working in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is considered one of the first portrait painters in Pennsylvania, though his recognition as one of the earliest in all of America has been narrowed. A businessman involved in trade, including supplies for artists.
A public servant, serving as the high sheriff of Philadelphia from 1777-1780. A flag maker, commissioned to paint a flag for the Philadelphia Troop of Light Horse in 1775.
An art teacher, most notably mentoring the well-known portrait painter Matthew pratt.
Life & Family:
Born in Pennsylvania.
Married twice: first to Rebecca White (died 1749,three children),then to Mary Chambers (married 1750,nine children). One daughter, Mary Claypoole, married James Peal.
Died on September 21, 1784, in Philadelphia and was buried at Old Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Artistic Style & Legacy:
primarily painted portraits in oil on canvas.
Subjects included family members (brother George Claypoole and his wife Hannah).
No known works by him survive today.
His importance lies in his role as a teacher, influencing artists like his son James jr. and Matthew Pratt, who became a leading colonial portrait artist.
Source:
the information is based on research by Charles Coleman Sellers in Pennsylvania History: A Journal of mid-Atlantic Studies (April 1950) and Genealogy of the Claypoole Family of Philadelphia 1588-1893* by Rebecca Irwin Graff.
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