Matthew Pratt

Matthew Pratt - Self Portrait, c. 1764

Matthew Pratt (September 23, 1734 – January 9, 1805) was an American "Colonial Era" artist famous for his portraits of American men and women. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to goldsmith Henry Pratt, (1708-1748) and Rebecca Claypoole, (1711-1762) (sister of James Claypoole Sr.), he was the second of eight children born to the Pratts.[1]

Apprenticeship

He was apprenticed to his uncle, artist James Claypoole (a limner and painter) from 1745 to 1755. From his uncle he learned different aspects of portrait painting (including business acumen).[2] In 1764 he escorted his cousin, Betsey Shewell to England for her marriage to the American "expatriate" artist Benjamin West. West was gaining a distinguished reputation in England. Pratt stayed on in England for two and a half years as a pupil and colleague to West. It was during this time that he painted one of his best known works "The American School".

Back in America

In March of 1768 he returned to America. Charles Willson Peale stated that at that time Matthew Pratt had a full-length portrait of John Dickinson and a considerable number of other works in progress. It was there that he met John Singleton Copley.[3]

Marriage and children

In 1760 he married Elizabeth Moore, (May 4, 1739 - July 7, 1777).[3] [4] Their children were:

Later career

Pratt announced that he was recently returned from England and Ireland and also New York. [3][8]

Death

He died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 9, 1805, and is buried in Christ Church Burial Ground. (An old historic burial ground established in 1695)[9]

Oil paintings - portraits

Hannah Stockton Boudinot (1736-1808), by Matthew Pratt
William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland
Thomas Paine by Matthew Pratt

Miniature portraits

Museums and public galleries

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Matthew Pratt.

The following galleries have works by Matthew Pratt:

References

  1. ↑ The Family Tree Maker
  2. ↑ Rootsweb Ancestry
  3. 1 2 3 National Gallery of Art
  4. ↑ Lemonhill History
  5. 1 2 Christ Church Burial Records
  6. ↑ Christ Church Records
  7. ↑ Find-A-Grave
  8. ↑ Women in American history
  9. ↑ Find-A-Grave
  10. ↑ http://collections.si.edu/search/results.htm?q=record_ID:npg_56.2
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