American Art Portrait of Thomas Clay (1753 - 1793) Made in United States, North and Central America1759 John Hesselius, American, 1728 - 1778 Oil on canvas * Gallery 105, American Art, first floor (Sherrerd Gallery 2009-16-9 Gift of the McNeil Americana Collection, 2009 |
LabelJohn Hesselius was born in Philadelphia and received his artistic training from his father, Gustavus Hesselius, who emigrated from Sweden to the United States. Influenced by the work of American painter Robert Feke and London-trained portraitist John Wollaston, the younger Hesselius painted the elite of Philadelphia, Delaware, and Virginia before eventually settling in Maryland, where he briefly taught the then-fledgling artist Charles Willson Peale. This stylish portrait of Thomas Clay (1753–1793), shown with his bow and arrow, is an excellent example of the artist’s colorful, mature style.* Works in the collection are moved off view for many different reasons. Although gallery locations on the website are updated regularly, there is no guarantee that this object will be on display on the day of your visit. |
