Ebenezer Storer II
Original title: Ebenezer Storer II
kurzbeschreibung
John Singleton Copley made this pastel portrait of the merchant Ebenezer Storer II around 1767. Executed in pastel on paper mounted on canvas, the picture measures 58.7 by 43.5 cm.
Description
A man appears in genteel attire, wearing a green cap and a white shirt with its collar turned down. His expression is calm and thoughtful; the dark background pulls the figure into focus. The pastel technique yields soft shading and a smooth surface. The palette stays muted: browns and grays in the background contrast with the light garment and the green cap.
Context
Copley ranked among the leading American portrait painters of the eighteenth century and worked mainly in Boston. Ebenezer Storer II came from the city's wealthy merchant class, from which Copley often drew his clients. The pastel dates from a period when Copley turned increasingly to pastel portraiture, which was considered modern in the colonies. Such likenesses served the rising middle class for self-presentation and for asserting social standing.
Impact
The quiet posture and reflective gaze give the sitter a distinguished, reserved air. Because the background remains dark and the clothing stands out brightly, a concentrated, intimate mood emerges that draws the viewer directly to the sitter's personality.
Technique
The image is executed in pastel on paper mounted on canvas. This method allows fine, detailed shading and a smooth surface characteristic of Copley's pastel works. Pastel chalk on paper was a common method for portraits in the eighteenth century, as it permitted quick and lively results.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)