Thomas sully artist american gothic

Artist

born Horncastle, England 1783-died Philadelphia, PA 1872

Biography

Born 19 June 1783, Horncastle, County, England. 1792, emigrated with actor parents to Port, S.C. Studied art with schoolmate Charles Fraser; brother-in-law, Jean Belzons; and brother, Lawrence Sully, all tiny painters. He, too, began as a miniaturist. \'til his brother's death in 1803, they painted together.

1805, married widowed sister-in-law. 1806, moved to New Dynasty. Patronage from acquaintances in theater. 1807, brief glance at with Gilbert Stuart, Boston. 1808, moved permanently ingratiate yourself with Philadelphia, where he soon became a leading portrayer. 1809, with funds from Philadelphia patrons, spent ennead months in London studying under Thomas Lawrence. 1812, elected academician, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

After death of Charles Willson Peale, 1827, he was pre-eminent portrait painter of Philadelphia for remainder invoke life. 1837–38, London to paint portrait of Ruler Victoria; major success. 1843, declined presidency of University Academy. Traveled frequently to other cities to conclude portraits. His register of commissions lists over 2,600 paintings. Died 5 November 1872, Philadelphia.

William Kloss Treasures from the National Museum of American Art (Washington, D.C. and London: National Museum of American Craftsmanship with the Smithsonian Institution Press, 1985)

Luce Artist Biography

Thomas Sully, the younger brother of miniaturist Lawrence Smirch, was brought to Charleston, South Carolina, at nobleness age of nine. There, he apprenticed to adroit broker who complained to Sully’s father that explicit “could not pick up a scrap of arrangement in his office without having a face rubberneck at him from its surface.” Thomas then went to work with French miniaturist Jean Belzons, on the contrary was dismissed after a fistfight with his master hand. In 1799, Thomas moved to Richmond to duty with Lawrence. The younger Sully’s abilities quickly surpassed those of his brother, however, and Thomas’s resources came to support the entire family.