Cast for a Revolution: the Copley Portraits

John Singleton Copley
Copley's portraits of Boston's revolutionary leaders secure his place in American history. He preferred art to politics and took commissions for portraits of British officers and "Sons of Liberty." For many years he dreamed of traveling to Europe to complete his education as an artist. He fled after the Boston Tea Party. His father-in-law Richard Clarke was a tea merchant and Copley himself became a target of protesters.

John Hancock
Often described as Boston's wealthiest merchant, John Hancock grew up in modest circumstances in present day Quincy, then part of Braintree. His merchant uncle Thomas, lacking an heir, brought him into his business. This portrait was done after his uncle's death when John inherited enormous wealth. The pen may seem symbolic, but the portrait was done in 1765, long before Hancock's fame as the boldest signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Paul Revere
This is an iconic portrait of colonial America as well as the portrayal of an individual - Paul Revere. Historian Jane Kamensky noted that Revere appears "at once maker and thinker." Revere "sat to" Copley in 1768 before he might be seen as a historical figure. How was the painting financed? A Copley portrait cost twice as much as a Revere teapot and Revere sold only one in 1768. Perhaps friends helped, or possibly Revere and Copley - fellow artists - bartered for the portrait.

Samuel Adams
This portrait once hung in the home of John Hancock, who probably financed it to display his own political sympathies. It shows a defiant Samuel Adams. He points to the Provincial Charter, currently on display in the Commonwealth Museum's Treasures Gallery. Calling it "Our Magna Carta" Adams alleged British violations of charter rights. Later, a disillusioned Copley reportedly said that Adams would be his choice if he needed to model a portrait of the devil. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston