Compare and Contrast, Copley

John Singleton Copley was born on July 3rd 1738. The son of a widowed tobacco shop owner, he was influenced artistically for the most part by his stepfather, Peter Pelham. Mr. Pelham was an Engraver by trade who married Copley’s mother when John was ten years old. Through Mr. Pelham, John had access to some of the leading colonial artists of the day. One artist in particular, John Smibert, often brought his portraits to Mr. …

…s artwork. We also can see that both works seem to showcase the artists’ daughters, both of whom are centered in the picture. Peale’s occasion depicted strikes me as being much more jovial, even though the color balance is just as warm as Copley’s. Perhaps it is the close proximity that the family members share or just their facial expressions but the Peale family strikes me as being genuinely fond of each other.