John Hesselius

John Hesselius was likely born in Philadelphia, where his father owned a house to satisfy clients[citation needed].

[2] In 1762, he became the first instructor of the acclaimed artist Charles Willson Peale, "exchanging one of his best saddles with its complete furniture for three lessons in Hesselius' studio.

1763 proved to be a busy year for John, for on January 30 he married the wealthy Annapolitan widow Mary Young Woodward, whose husband owned Primrose Hill, where he soon moved in with her.

An inventory of his property taken for his will shows him owning 31 slaves, numerous scientific instruments including a camera obscura, microscope, three violins, a harpsichord and a guitar.

Hesselius was heavily influenced by the works of Robert Feke, whose bright and decorative style made more of an artistic impression upon John than his father's.

Elements of Feke's style are evident throughout Hesselius' works, and his meticulous attention to fabric and color makes his sitters appear elegant.

The most prominent portraitists such as John Singleton Copley or Benjamin West left America for the more developed centers of painting, namely London.

Portrait of Reverend Richard Brown by John Hesselius
Mrs. Richard Brown, painted by John Hesselius
Portrait of John Hanson , first president of Congress after ratification of the Articles of Confederation . Painted by Hesselius around 1770.
'Philip Francis' by John Hesselius, Cincinnati Art Museum