He was the son of an American mariner. He was born in England but came back to the United States when he was five years old. His family lived in Philadelphia where he received formal art training. He studied with Edward Savage and moved to New York City with Savage where he enjoyed great popularity, though his conviviality and eccentric mode of life affected his work. He was one of the earliest American artist to give serious study of the human anatomy. He visited Baltimore, Charleston, and New Orleans, entertaining much and painting portraits of prominent people, particularly in New Orleans, where General Andrew Jackson was one of his sitters. He had for assistants at different times both Thomas Sully and Henry Inman. He affected singularity in dress and manners, and his mots were the talk of the day. But his work deteriorated, and he died in great poverty in New York City.
He was the son of an American mariner. He was born in England but came back to the United States when he was five years old. His family lived in Philadelphia where he received formal art training. He studied with Edward Savage and moved to New York City with Savage where he enjoyed great popularity, though his conviviality and eccentric mode of life affected his work. He was one of the earliest American artist to give serious study of the human anatomy. He visited Baltimore, Charleston, and New Orleans, entertaining much and painting portraits of prominent people, particularly in New Orleans, where General Andrew Jackson was one of his sitters. He had for assistants at different times both Thomas Sully and Henry Inman. He affected singularity in dress and manners, and his mots were the talk of the day. But his work deteriorated, and he died in great poverty in New York City.
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