An Artist's Formative Years: Copley's Education in Boston

Abstract

This article explores the childhood education of colonial Boston's premier portrait painter, John Singleton Copley. Copley's family is credited with nurturing and supporting his artistic inclinations. In addition, the Boston public schools encouraged basic education for children such as Franklin, Revere, and Copley. And finally, Copley benefited form a private school master, his stepfather Peter Pelham.