Colonial Portraits

Purposes for a Portriat• Portraits showed status- only the wealthy

could afford them.• Portraits were also a way of sending

messages about yourself • Portraits were sometimes wish

fulfillment.-imagining yourself as wealthier or more important than you were.

The Picture didn’t Always show reality.

Nathaniel Sparhawk• Wealthy merchant• Red velvet suit =

money and power• Background = Greek

statues, columns, large estate

Ann Tyng• Landscape

background• Silk dress, bows, all

point to wealth

John Hancock• Seated at desk• Writing in ledger• Engaged in trade• Chair, suit and ledger

demonstrate money, power

Mercy Otis Warren• Lace cap and

decoration• Gardening – a

woman’s pursuit if she has time and money

Mary and Elizabeth Royall

• Young sisters• Wealth demonstrated

by fabrics of dresses• Children dressed as

copies of adults

Henry Pelham (Boy with Squirrel)

• Boy dressed in suit and jacket, like adult

• Sheen of mahogany • Reflections in tabletop• Water in glass• These were all marks

of strong artist

Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Winslow

• Couple seated together

• almost modern faces• Seem modest but

fabric shows their wealth– Printed fabric– Lace– Mahogany table– Richness of man’s

clothes

The Copley Family

Nicholas Boyalston• Turkish robe and

headgear• Wealthy, something

of a dandy

The Artist in his Museum• Revolutionary War

hero• Surgeon, wealthy

Philadelphian• Museum with

collection of curiousities– Dinosaur bones– Skeletons– fossils

Samuel Adams• Somber background• Adams is the focus• His focus is where his

finger points• Massachusetts Bay

Colony Charter

John Winthrop• Congregational

minister• Astronomer• Shown with his

telescope and record of his journey to observe stars and planets

Paul Revere• Silversmith, artisan• In his shirtsleeves• Holding his craft,

tools on table• Shirt is high-quality

linen• Table is mahogany• An artisan who has a

high social position

A Guide to Men’s Clothing

Long socks

Britches

Waistcoat

Long Shirt

A Guide to Women’s Clothing

Mop CapOr Bonnet

Bodice

Blouse

Apron

Skirt