The World of Copley: 1738-1815

Time-Life Library of Art

by Alfred Frankenstein

Great, clean condition with excellent cardboard slipcover. Private 5 star seller ships Media Mail, 1st day.

Genres: Art, History, Art History, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Frankie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This work covered Copley and a few other colonial American artists, especially those who painted portraiture as an art imported from the London market. Copley was a Boston prodigy whose likenesses were startling. His portrayal of faces alone was nearly photographic, but his fabrics, still-life and accessories were even more astounding in detail.

Here's his double portrait of the Royall sisters. The faces are softened and rounded, so the likenesses are probably not perfect, but the satin is indescribable. He was only 20 when he painted it.

Six years later he painted a portrait for Thomas Ainslie to send home to Glasgow for his family who missed him. Ainslie's wife wrote a letter of how their 15-month-old son had reacted: "The Infant eyed your picture, he sprang to it, roared, and shcriched, and attempted gripping the hand, but when he could not catch hold of it, nor get You to speak to him, he stamped and scolded…" (p45)

He made many original strides in the art world. Following West's lead, he painted historic battle scenes with realistic contemporary dress instead of classical. He also took on unique subjects as in Watson and the Shark, a commission based on a client's very personal brush with death.

Copley's later life is a sad story. Even in America, his biggest worry was consistently how much money he was making. Once he moved to London he became obsessed as well with besting his contemporaries West and Reynolds. West especially rivaled and swapped insults with Copley for years. They both lost patronage and favor with the public and the crown, and their careers dwindled. It's a bit funny that they're forced to share this volume.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Time-Life Library of Art series is an excellent introduction to major artists of the Western world, and this volume on John Singleton Copley follows through on its winning formula. Its focus is on early American painters with Copley being the primary subject, but Benjamin West, John Turnbull, Gilbert Stuart, Charles Willson Peale, and Samuel F. B. Morse are also covered. Copley's reputation was built on the excellence of his portraits (the only kind of painting for which there was a market in the American colonies), but his desire to make his mark on the art world in Europe led him to emigrate to England in 1774. After doing well there at first, his ambition led him into some unfortunate miscalculations and over-reaches. Today, his best work is considered to be the American portraits, particularly his amazing rendering of texture in clothing. The fine quality color illustrations allow a good appreciation of his consummate skill.

[Doris Raines · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT TITLE.

[Aloha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave all of the Time-Life Art series a 5 star because they were my introduction to the world of art. I highly recommend them to children who are very interested in art. I spent many late nights devouring the series. Perfect for young inquiring minds.