Dr. Silvester Gardiner (1708-1786)

Inspiration

Joseph Blackburn, Abigail Chesebrough (Mrs. Alexander Grant), 1754. Oil on canvas, 127.6 x 101.5 cm (50 x 40 in.) Art Institue of Chicago, Bequest of Miss Amelia Peabody, 9184, 1984.725. Image courtesy of Art Insitute of Chicago, www.artic.edu.

John Singleton Copley’s artistic training came through his exposure to works by John Smibert (1688–1751) and Joseph Blackburn (active 1752–1777), who had come to Boston from England. This exposure gave Copley the inspiration for further refining his artistic style, which can be seen in his characteristically smooth, seamless brushstrokes and detailed shading.